Wearable camera

ABSTRACT

A capture, a storage that stores data of a video image captured by the capture, an attribute information assigning switch that inputs an operation of assigning attribute information related to the data of a video image, and an attribute selecting switch that inputs an operation of selecting the attribute information are included. When there is an input from the attribute information assigning switch, the attribute information associated with a setting state of the attribute selecting switch is stored in the storage by being assigned to data of a video image.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a wearable camera which is an imagecapturing device, for example, which can be equipped on a human body orworn clothes.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, introduction of a wearable camera which is equipped bya police officer or a security guard and used in order to support dutiesof the police officer or the security guard, for example, has been takeninto consideration.

As an example in the related art applied with the wearable camera,Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2006-148842 discloses awearable monitoring camera system, for example. The wearable monitoringcamera system has a configuration in which a video image signal and anaudio signal from body-equipped CCD camera means and microphone means,and a date and time information signal from built-in clock means areencoded by encode server means which is accommodated in body-equippedpouch means, and the date and time information converted into characterinformation can be recorded by superimposing on a captured video image.

In a wearable camera system, when recording and retaining data of acaptured video image, as in the system disclosed in Japanese PatentUnexamined Publication No. 2006-148842, for example, a video imagesignal and date and time information are recorded by being associatedwith each other so that data of a target video image can be extractedand searched for when reproducing data of a video-recorded image in thefuture. For example, in addition to the date and time information, ifvarious types of attribute information such as information indicatingcontents of a captured video image are assigned by being associated withdata of a video image, the data of the target video image can be easilyextracted and searched for, thereby being convenient.

However, when assigning the attribute information to data of a videoimage, assigning is performed after the data of a video-recorded imagewhich is video-recorded by the wearable camera is reproduced by using apersonal computer (PC) or the like and contents of the video image arechecked. Therefore, time and labor are required when assigning theattribute information. Particularly, in regard to the wearable camerasystem which is applied to duties of a police officer or a securityguard, video images are often captured in an emergency situation,thereby resulting in disadvantages on a managerial side of data of avideo-recorded image, such as difficulties in assigning of attributeinformation performed by a PC, and difficulties in distinguishing videoimages later.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a wearable camera inwhich the convenience at the time of handling data of a captured videoimage can be improved.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided awearable camera including a capture that captures a video image of ascene, a storage that stores data of a video image captured by thecapture, and an operation input section that inputs an operationperformed by a user. The operation input section includes an attributeselecting switch that selects any one among a plurality of pieces ofattribute information which is classification information indicatingcontents of the data of a video image and causes the selected attributeinformation to be a setting state, and an attribute informationassigning switch that assigns the attribute information caused to be thesetting state. In response to an operation of the attribute informationassigning switch performed during a session from a start of video imagedata recording till a start of next video image data recording, thestorage stores data of a video image which is currently video-recordedor data of a video image which is video-recorded immediately before, byassociating the attribute information caused to be the setting state bythe attribute selecting switch therewith.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve theconvenience at the time of handling data of a captured video image in awearable camera system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram regarding an overview of a wearablecamera system and usage of data of a video image captured by thewearable camera, according to an exemplary example of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internalconfiguration of the wearable camera, according to the exemplary exampleof the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state where a user is equipped withthe wearable camera, according to the exemplary example of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating an example of the appearance of thewearable camera, according to the exemplary example of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a left side view illustrating an example of the appearance ofthe wearable camera, according to the exemplary example of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a right side view illustrating an example of the appearance ofthe wearable camera, according to the exemplary example of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting attributeinformation, according to the exemplary example of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of data structure of videorecording data, according to the exemplary example of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of data structure of avideo-recorded image list, according to a first exemplary example of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a procedure regardingan attribute information assigning operation of the wearable camera,according to the first exemplary example of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of data structure of thevideo-recorded image list, according to a second exemplary example ofthe present invention;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a procedure regardingthe attribute information assigning operation of the wearable camera,according to the second exemplary example of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a time chart showing an example of theattribute information assigning operation, according to the secondexemplary example of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting of atransmission destination of the data of a video image in accordance withthe attribute information, according to a third exemplary example of thepresent invention;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of data structure of thevideo recording data, according to the third exemplary example of thepresent invention;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of data structure of thevideo-recorded image list, according to the third exemplary example ofthe present invention;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a procedure regardingthe attribute information assigning operation of the wearable camera,according to the third exemplary example of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a procedure regardinga video image data transmission operation of the wearable camera,according to the third exemplary example of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram regarding an overview of the wearablecamera system and usage of the data of a video image captured by thewearable cameras (a first camera and a second camera), according to afourth exemplary example of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state where a policeofficer is equipped with both the first camera and the second camera,according to the fourth exemplary example of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of thefirst camera and the second camera, according to the fourth exemplaryexample of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a left side view illustrating an example of the appearance ofthe first camera, according to the fourth exemplary example of thepresent invention;

FIG. 23 is a right side view illustrating an example of the appearanceof the first camera, according to the fourth exemplary example of thepresent invention;

FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internalconfiguration of the first camera, according to the fourth exemplaryexample of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internalconfiguration of the second camera, according to the fourth exemplaryexample of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship betweenan attribute selecting switch and the attribute information, accordingto the fourth exemplary example of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of data structure of thevideo recording data, according to the fourth exemplary example of thepresent invention;

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a first example of the video-recordedimage list, according to the fourth exemplary example of the presentinvention;

FIG. 29 is a flow chart illustrating an example of an operationalprocedure of the wearable camera system in which the wearable cameraapplied to one-channel video recording is switched and one piece of theattribute information is assigned to one piece of the video recordingdata video-recorded by the wearable camera applied after being switched,according to the fourth exemplary example of the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the video-recordedimage list, according to the fourth exemplary example of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 31 is a flow chart illustrating an example of an operationalprocedure of the wearable camera system in which video recording isswitched over to simultaneous two-channel video recording and commonattribute information is assigned to each piece of the video recordingdata video-recorded by each of the wearable cameras applied to thesimultaneous two-channel video recording, according to the fourthexemplary example of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, descriptions will be givenin detail regarding an exemplary embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as“the present exemplary embodiment”) in which a wearable camera, and awearable camera system that uses the wearable camera are specificallydisclosed according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram regarding an overview of the wearablecamera system and usage of data of a video image captured by thewearable camera, according to the present exemplary embodiment. Wearablecamera 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment is an imagecapturing device which can be equipped by a user on one's body, wornclothes, or the like. Wearable camera 10 has a communication functionfor communicating with portable terminal 50 such as a smart phone,in-car system 60 mounted in a vehicle, and servers (back-end servers)SV1, SV2, and SV3 in a user's organization. In the wearable camerasystem, a front-end system is configured to include wearable camera 10,portable terminal 50, and in-car system 60, and a back-end system isconfigured to include management software 70 for a network, and serversSV1, SV2, and SV3.

Here, descriptions will be given assuming a case of being used in apolice station, as an example of the wearable camera system according tothe present exemplary embodiment. In this case, a police officer who isa user performs image capturing by using wearable camera 10. Forexample, data of a captured video image is transmitted to the back-endsystem in a police station and is accumulated therein. Wearable camera10 does not limit a user to a police officer. Wearable camera 10 mayalso be used in other various places of work (for example, a securitycompany).

The front-end system illustrated in FIG. 1 includes wearable camera 10which can be equipped by a police officer when being dispatched to thefront lines of the scene, portable terminal 50 that is carried by apolice officer or is disposed in a patrol car in which a police officerrides, and in-car system 60 which is installed in the patrol car.Portable terminal 50 is a wireless communication device such as a smartphone, a portable telephone, a tablet terminal, or a personal digitalassistant (PDA). In-car system 60 includes a camera, a recorder, a PC, acommunication unit, and the like, thereby configuring an in-car camerasystem, a video image management system, and the like.

When a police officer is dispatched from a police station to carry out apredetermined duty (for example, patrols), the police officer isequipped with wearable camera 10, carries portable terminal 50 ordisposes the same in a patrol car, and rides in the patrol car mountedwith in-car system 60, thereby heading for the scene. In the front-endsystem, for example, video images of the scene at which the patrol carhas arrived are captured by a camera of in-car system 60, and the policeofficer steps out of the patrol car. Then, more detailed video images ofthe scene are captured by wearable camera 10. Data of video images suchas moving images and still images captured by wearable camera 10 areretained in a recorder such as a memory in portable terminal 50, or arecorder such as storage in a PC of in-car system 60, or are transmitted(uploaded) to the back-end system. Various pieces of data including thedata of video images are transmitted to the back-end system fromportable terminal 50 or in-car system 60. Transmission of data to theback-end system is carried out by being connected through wirelesscommunication from the scene, or is carried out through wiredcommunication or wireless communication, or in a manual manner (forexample, through a hand-carried storage medium) when the police officerreturns to the police station after completing the patrols.

The back-end system illustrated in FIG. 1 includes servers SV1 to SV3which are installed in a police station or other places, and managementsoftware 70 for performing communication with the front-end system.Servers SV1 to SV3 are internally or externally provided with a storagesuch as a hard disk (HDD). In the back-end system, data of video imagestransmitted from the front-end system and other pieces of data areaccumulated in servers SV1 to SV3. Servers SV1 to SV3 receive the dataof video images transmitted from wearable camera 10 or in-car system 60,and retain the data in the storage such as the HDD.

The data of video images accumulated in the back-end system is utilizedby a person in charge in the relevant department of the police station,for example. As necessary, the data of video images is copied into apredetermined storage medium (for example, DVD: digital versatile disk)and is submitted to a predetermined scene (for example, trial) asevidence. In the present exemplary embodiment, the evidential videoimages of the scene can be acquired and retained in a more unerringmanner by using wearable camera 10 which is equipped by a policeofficer. When using wearable camera 10, identification information (auser ID) of a user (a police officer), identification information (acamera ID) of the camera, and the like are set and registered so that itcan be clearly discriminated with respect to the data of video imagesaccumulated in the server when and which police officer using whichcamera that the video image is captured by.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internalconfiguration of wearable camera 10, according to the present exemplaryembodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state where a user isequipped with wearable camera 10, according to the present exemplaryembodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating an example of theappearance of wearable camera 10, according to the present exemplaryembodiment. FIG. 5 is a left side view illustrating an example of theappearance of wearable camera 10, according to the present exemplaryembodiment. FIG. 6 is a right side view illustrating an example of theappearance of wearable camera 10, according the present exemplaryembodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, wearable camera 10 includes capture 11,general purpose input/output (GPIO) 12, RAM 13, ROM 14, storage 15,electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) 16, realtime clock (RTC) 17, global positioning system (GPS) 18, micro controlunit (MCU) 19, communicator 21, universal serial bus (USB) 22, contactterminal 23, power source 24, and battery 25. As operation inputsections, wearable camera 10 includes video recording switch SW1,snapshot switch SW2, attribute information assigning switch SW3,attribute selecting switch SW4, communication mode switch SW5, andindicator switch SW6. As state displays, wearable camera 10 isconfigured to include three light emitting diodes (LED) 26 a, 26 b, and26 c, and vibrator 27.

Capture 11 has an image capturing lens and a solid-state imaging devicesuch as a charge coupled device-type (CCD) image sensor or acomplementary metal oxide semiconductor-type (CMOS) image sensor, andoutputs data of a video image of an imaging target obtained throughimage capturing to MCU 19. GPIO 12 is a parallel interface through whichsignals are input and output between video recording switch SW1,snapshot switch SW2, attribute information assigning switch SW3,attribute selecting switch SW4, communication mode switch SW5, indicatorswitch SW6, LEDs 26 a to 26 c, and vibrator 27; and MCU 19.

RAM 13 is a working memory which is used when operating MCU 19. ROM 14is a memory in which programs and data for controlling MCU 19 are storedin advance. Storage 15 is configured to be a storage medium, forexample, an SD memory, and stores data of video images obtained by beingcaptured by capture 11. When the SD memory is applied as storage 15, thememory can be attached to and detached from the casing main body ofwearable camera 10.

EEPROM 16 stores identification information (serial numbers) whichidentifies wearable camera 10, and other pieces of setting information.RTC 17 counts current time information and outputs the information toMCU 19. GPS 18 receives current positional information of wearablecamera 10 from a GPS transmitter and outputs the information to MCU 19.

MCU 19 functions as a controller, thereby performing controllingprocessing to collectively generalize operations of each unit inwearable camera 10, inputting and outputting processing of data withrespect to each of other units, computation (calculation) processing ofdata, and storing processing of data. MCU 19 operates in accordance withthe program and data stored in ROM 14. MCU 19 uses RAM 13 during anoperation, acquires current time information from RTC 17, and acquirescurrent positional information from GPS 18.

For example, communicator 21 defines the connection between communicator21 and MCU 19 in a physical layer which is a first layer in an opensystems interconnection (OSI) reference model and performs wirelesscommunication (for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) through awireless LAN (W-LAN), for example, in accordance with the definitionthereof. A communicator which performs wireless communication such asBluetooth (registered trademark) may be applied as communicator 21. USB22 is a serial bus which allows wearable camera 10 to be connected toin-car system 60, a PC in a police station, and the like.

Contact terminal 23 is a terminal to be electrically connected with acradle, an external adaptor, and the like. Contact terminal 23 isconnected to MCU 19 via USB 22, and is connected to power source 24.Wearable camera 10 can be charged and communication of data includingdata of video images can be performed via contact terminal 23. Forexample, contact terminal 23 is provided with “charge terminal V+”,“CON.DET terminal”, “data terminals W and D+”, and “a ground terminal”.CON.DET terminal is a terminal for detecting voltage variation. Dataterminals D− and D+ are terminals for transmitting data of video imagescaptured by wearable camera 10 to an external PC or the like, forexample, via a USB connector terminal. As contact terminal 23 isconnected to a cradle or a connector of an external adaptor, datacommunication can be performed between wearable camera 10 and anexternal apparatus.

Power source 24 supplies electricity for power supplied from a cradle oran external adaptor via contact terminal 23, to battery 25, therebycharging battery 25. Battery 25 is configured to be a rechargeablesecondary battery and supplied electricity for power to each of theunits in wearable camera 10.

Video recording switch SW1 is a push button switch for inputting anoperational instruction to perform start/stop of video recording(capturing of a moving image) through a pressing operation of a user.Snapshot switch SW2 is a push button switch for inputting an operationalinstruction to perform image capturing of a still image through apressing operation of a user. Attribute information assigning switch SW3is a push button switch for inputting an operational instruction toassign attribute information to data of a video image performed througha pressing operation of a user. Attribute selecting switch SW4 is aslide switch for inputting an operational instruction to select anattribute to be assigned to data of a video image. Communication modeswitch SW5 is a slide switch for inputting an operational instruction toset a communication mode between wearable camera 10 and an externalapparatus. Indicator switch SW6 is a slide switch for inputting anoperational instruction to set an operational state display mode forLEDs 26 a to 26 c and vibrator 27. Video recording switch SW1, snapshotswitch SW2, attribute information assigning switch SW3, and attributeselecting switch SW4 are configured to be able to be easily operatedeven in an emergency situation. Each of switches SW1 to SW6 is notlimited to the above-described embodiments. The switch may be anoperational input device in a different embodiment allowing a user toinput an operational instruction.

LED 26 a is a display indicating a power-supply state (ON-OFF state) ofwearable camera 10 and a state of battery 25. LED 26 b is a displayindicating a state of the image capturing operation (video recordingstate) of wearable camera 10. LED 26 c is a display indicating a stateof the communication mode of wearable camera 10.

MCU 19 detects inputs and outputs of each of the switches such as videorecording switch SW1, snapshot switch SW2, attribute informationassigning switch SW3, attribute selecting switch SW4, communication modeswitch SW5, and indicator switch SW6, and performs processing withrespect to an input of the operated switch. When an operational input ofvideo recording switch SW1 is detected, MCU 19 controls a start or astop of the image capturing operation in capture 11, and retains thecaptured data obtained from capture 11 in storage 15 as image data of amoving image. When an operational input of snapshot switch SW2 isdetected, MCU 19 retains the captured data obtained by capture 11 whensnapshot switch SW2 is operated in storage 15 as image data of a stillimage.

When an operational input of attribute information assigning switch SW3is detected, MCU 19 assigns attribute information which has been set inadvance to the data of a video image, and retains the information instorage 15 by associating the information with the data of a videoimage. In this case, association information indicating an associatedrelationship between the state of attribute selecting switch SW4 andpredetermined attribute information is held by EEPROM 16, and MCU 19detects the state of attribute selecting switch SW4, thereby assigningattribute information corresponding to the setting for attributeselecting switch SW4. MCU 19 detects the state of communication modeswitch SW5 and operates communicator 21 in accordance with acommunication mode corresponding to the setting for communication modeswitch SW5. When a video recording operation starts, MCU 19 detects thestate of indicator switch SW6 and notifies the outside of the state ofthe video recording operation through the LED display and/or vibrationsof the vibrator, in accordance with the setting of indicator switch SW6.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, wearable camera 10 is used in an equippedstate on worn clothes or the body of a user, for example, the chest of apolice officer who is a user so as to capture a video image in a viewingfield from a position close to the viewpoint of the user. The usercaptures an imaging target on the periphery by operating video recordingswitch SW1 in a state of being equipped with wearable camera 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in wearable camera 10, image capturing lens 11a of capture 11, video recording switch SW1, and snapshot switch SW2 areprovided on the frontal face of the casing having a substantiallyrectangular parallelepiped shape. For example, video recording(capturing of a moving image) starts by pressing video recording switchSW1 an odd number of times, and the video recording ends by pressing theswitch an even number of times. Every time Snapshot switch SW2 ispressed, capturing of a still image at that moment is executed.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, attribute information assigning switch SW3,attribute selecting switch SW4, and USB connector 22 a are provided onthe left side of the casing of wearable camera 10 when viewed in frontthereof. As a user performs a pressing operation with attributeinformation assigning switch SW3, attribute information corresponding tothe setting state of attribute selecting switch SW4 is assigned to dataof a video image which is currently video-recorded or data of a videoimage which is video-recorded immediately before. In the illustratedexample, attribute selecting switch SW4 is a slide switch having contactpoint positions of three stages C1, C2, and C3. A user selects anddesignates attribute information which has been allocated and set toeach of stages C1 to C3. A cable for being connected to an externalapparatus through the USB is connected to USB connector 22 a, therebyallowing wearable camera 10 to be connected to in-car system 60 and a PCor the like in a police station so as to transmit and receive data.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, communication mode switch SW5 and indicatorswitch SW6 are provided on the right side of the casing of wearablecamera 10 when viewed in front thereof. In the illustrated example,communication mode switch SW5 is a slide switch having contact pointpositions of four stages AP, STA1, STA2, and OFF. A user selects anddesignates a communication mode of wearable camera 10. Stage AP is anaccess point mode. In this mode, wearable camera 10 operates as anaccess point for the wireless LAN and is connected to portable terminal50 wirelessly so that communication is performed between wearable camera10 and portable terminal 50. In the access point mode, portable terminal50 is connected to wearable camera 10, thereby allowing displaying of acurrent live video image obtained by wearable camera 10, reproducing ofdata of a video-recorded image, assigning of attribute information,displaying of a captured still image, and the like. STA1 and STA2 arestation modes. In these modes, communication is performed while havingan external apparatus as an access point when being connected to theexternal apparatus through the wireless LAN. STA1 is a mode to beconnected to an access point in a police station, and STA2 is a mode tobe connected to in-car system 60. In the station mode, wearable camera10 can be set, and data of a video-recorded image can be transmitted(uploaded) to wearable camera 10. OFF is a mode to turn off acommunication operation through the wireless LAN. In this mode, thewireless LAN is not in use.

In the illustrated example, indicator switch SW6 is a slide switchhaving contact point positions of four stages of LED, Vibration, LED &Vibration, and OFF. A user selects and designates the notification modeof wearable camera 10. LED is a mode for displaying an operational stateof wearable camera 10 in video-recording, for example, through LEDs 26 ato 26 c. Vibration is a mode for issuing notification of an operationalstate of wearable camera 10 through vibration of vibrator 27. LED &Vibration is a mode for issuing notification of an operational state ofwearable camera 10 through the displaying of LEDs 26 a to 26 c andvibration of vibrator 27. OFF is a mode for turning off the notificationoperation of an operational state.

LEDs 26 a to 26 c are disposed on the top face when viewed in front ofthe casing of wearable camera 10. Accordingly, the LEDs can be easilyand visually recognized by a user in a state of being equipped withwearable camera 10, and no one else can see the LEDs except the useroneself. Contact terminal 23 is provided on the bottom face of thecasing of wearable camera 10 when viewed in front thereof.

Subsequently, descriptions will be given regarding assigning ofattribute information to data of a video image, according to the presentexemplary embodiment, on an assumption of a case where video recordingis performed by wearable camera 10, and data of video images transmittedto servers SV1 to SV3 and accumulated is utilized in the wearable camerasystem. In this case, an object data of a video image is extracted fromthe pieces of accumulated data of video images based on some sort ofattribute information related to the data of video images such as thetype of the contents of the video image, the user who captured theimage, the date and time, and the location, thereby being reproduced.When no attribute information exists in the data of a video image, it isdifficult to distinguish the captured video images from one another sothat the target data of a video image cannot be extracted. Therefore,when many pieces of data of video images are accumulated, there is aneed to assign the attribute information. Here, it is assumed thatclassification information (Classify) indicating the type of thecontents of a video image is assigned as the attribute information, andthe pieces of data of video images can be individually sorted by thetype. Assigning of the attribute information with respect to the data ofa video image is also referred to as tagging or the like. The attributeinformation is not limited to the classification information, andincludes all types of information regarding the data of a video-recordedimage. The classification information, which is the attributeinformation, may be arranged in hierarchical structure, or may becategorized in multiple systems differently classified.

When a user leaves the scene where an image has captured by usingwearable camera 10 and assigns attribute information by using a PC orthe like in a police station afterwards, since the user determines thetype of the data of video images by reproducing thereof and assigns theattribute information, time and labor are required. As the pieces ofdata of video images assigned with no attribute information are piledup, it becomes troublesome to individually check the data of videoimages, and thus, much labor is required to determine the type and toassign the attribute information. Therefore, the present exemplaryembodiment provides a configuration example of wearable camera 10 inwhich the attribute information can be easily assigned immediately aftervideo recording or during video recording.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting the attributeinformation regarding attribute selecting switch SW4. When wearablecamera 10 is in use, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the attribute informationis set and allocated in association with each of states (the contactpoint positions) C1 to C3 of attribute selecting switch SW4. Theillustrated example is given on an assumption of a case where a policeofficer, who is a user, captures circumstantial images of the scene ofan incident. C1 is allocated to traffic accident, C2 is allocated todrunken driving, and C3 is allocated to speeding respectively. Theallocation of the attribute information is set by selecting theattribute information which is most frequently used by a user, among thepieces of the attribute information in multiple definitions. Thecontents of the set attribute information are stored in EEPROM 16 ofwearable camera 10 as one piece of the setting information.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of data structure of videorecording data. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of datastructure of a video-recorded image list. In wearable camera 10according to the present exemplary embodiment, when performing videorecording, as illustrated in FIG. 8, together with data of a capturedvideo image, meta-information including the attribute information whichis associated with the data of a video image is generated, and both thepieces of data are stored in storage 15 as video recording data in whichboth the pieces of data are associated with each other. In other words,the video recording data stored in storage 15 includes the data of avideo image and the meta-information. When transmitting the data of avideo image from wearable camera 10 to servers SV1 to SV3, the videorecording data including the data of a video image and themeta-information is transmitted and accumulated.

The meta-information in association with the data of a video image isstored in a form of the video-recorded image list as illustrated in FIG.9. The meta-information of the video-recorded image list includes anevent ID, time information, a camera ID, a user ID, attributeinformation, GPS information, and the like. The event ID isidentification information for identifying the event of video recording.In the present exemplary embodiment, one session of a video recordingoperation from the start of video recording until the end of videorecording is defined as one event, and an event ID is assigned to eachevent (hereinafter, also referred to as the video recording event) ofvideo recording operation. As the event ID, the file name or the like ofthe data of a video image may be applied. The time information is timeinformation of each video recording event, and the start time of videorecording is assigned, for example. As the time information, in additionto applying of only the start time of video recording, the start time ofvideo recording and the end time of video recording, the start time ofvideo recording and the duration time of video recording, and the likemay be applied.

The camera ID is identification information for individually identifyingwearable camera 10. A user ID is identification information of a policeofficer who is a user using wearable camera 10. When wearable camera 10is in use, the camera ID and the user ID are set so that it can bedistinguished with respect to the data of a video-recorded image whichone of the cameras used for video recording by whom.

The attribute information is the classification information foridentifying the type of the data of a video image and is assigned inaccordance with attribute information assigning switch SW3 and attributeselecting switch SW4 operated by a user based on the contents of the setattribute information illustrated in FIG. 7. GPS information ispositional information indicating the location where video recording ofthe data of a video image is performed. For example, current positionalinformation at the time of a start of video recording is acquired fromGPS 18, thereby being assigned. Each piece of the above-describedmeta-information is assigned through the processing of MCU 19 at thetime of the start of video recording or immediately after the end ofvideo recording, thereby being stored in storage 15 by being associatedwith the data of a video image.

Subsequently, descriptions will be given in more detail regarding anassigning operation of the attribute information, according to the firstexemplary example.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a procedure regardingan attribute information assigning operation of wearable camera 10,according to the present exemplary embodiment.

MCU 19 of wearable camera 10 executes initial setting prior to the videorecording (Step S11). The initial setting of wearable camera 10 isperformed at the time of dispatch of a police officer, who is a user, byhaving access to a PC in a police station, operating the PC, andtransmitting setting information. For example, as the initial setting,for example, assigning of a camera ID and a user ID (refer to FIG. 9),activating of attribute information assigning switch SW3 and attributeselecting switch SW4, and allocating of the plurality of pieces ofattribute information to attribute selecting switch SW4 (refer to FIG.7) are executed.

When an input of video recording switch SW1 is detected, MCU 19 startsperforming video recording, executes image capturing by capture 11, andstores the video image data of a moving image in storage 15 (Step S12).

When a second input of video recording switch SW1 is detected, MCU 19thereby ends the video recording of one video recording event (StepS13). Subsequently, MCU 19 inputs the selection state of attributeselecting switch SW4 (Step S14) and determines whether or not an inputof attribute information assigning switch SW3 is present (Step S15).

When there is an input from attribute information assigning switch SW3,MCU 19 reads the attribute information corresponding to the state ofattribute selecting switch SW4 from EEPROM 16, thereby assigning theinformation to the data of a video image (Step S16). MCU 19 outputs themeta-information including the assigned attribute information to storage15, and then, the meta-information is stored therein by being associatedwith the data of a video image which has ended the video recordingoperation and has stored immediately before (Step S17). Themeta-information includes the event ID, the time information, theattribute information, the camera ID, a user ID, and GPS information(refer to FIG. 9). MCU 19 thereby ends the attribute informationassigning processing.

The aforementioned example has described a procedure in which theattribute information is assigned after one video recording event ends.However, the procedure in which an input of attribute informationassigning switch SW3 is detected while the video recording continues andthe attribute information is assigned during video recording may beadopted.

In the aforementioned example, the attribute information correspondingto the state of attribute selecting switch SW4 is assigned among thepieces of the attribute information allocated to attribute selectingswitch SW4. However, for example, it is possible to assign the attributeinformation corresponding to voice from a user by using a voicerecognition function. In this case, without being limited by the numberof physical contact points of the attribute selecting switch, any typeof the attribute information can be assigned.

In this manner, in the present exemplary embodiment, when imagecapturing is performed by using wearable camera 10, it is possible toeasily assign the attribute information with respect to the data of avideo image by operating the simplex body of wearable camera 10immediately after being video-recorded or during video recording.Therefore, it is possible to reliably set the attribute information ofthe data of a video image even at the scene of image capturing in anemergency situation. When utilizing the data of a video imageaccumulated in the server, it is possible to easily distinguish andextract the type of the data of a video image by referring to theattribute information. On account of the meta-information including theattribute information, it is possible to easily identify the dataregarding when, where, by using which camera, captured by whom, the typeof contents in the video image, the data has captured. Therefore, it ispossible to enhance the reliability thereof as an evidential videoimage.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, since the attribute ofthe data of a video image can be easily set by wearable camera 10, it ispossible to reduce time and labor when assigning the attributeinformation and is also possible to simply execute the identification ofthe data of a video image from immediately after the video recording.Accordingly, it is possible to improve convenience when handling thedata of a captured video image in the wearable camera system.

As described above, wearable camera 10 according to the presentexemplary embodiment has capture 11, storage 15 which stores the data ofa video image captured by capture 11, and the operation input sectionfor inputting an operation performed by a user. The operation inputsection includes attribute information assigning switch SW3 forinputting an assigning operation of the attribute information which isassociated with the data of a video image, and attribute selectingswitch SW4 for inputting a selection operation of the attributeinformation. The operation input section is also provided with MCU 19which assigns the attribute information corresponding to the settingstate of attribute selecting switch SW4 to the data of a video image andstores the data in storage 15 when there is an input from attributeinformation assigning switch SW3.

In this manner, as the attribute information selected by attributeselecting switch SW4 is assigned to the data of a video image capturedby capture 11 based on the operational input of attribute informationassigning switch SW3, it is possible to easily assign the attributeinformation to the data of a video-recorded image in wearable camera 10.Accordingly, it is possible to reduce time and labor when assigning theattribute information and is also possible to simply execute theidentification of the data of a video image from immediately after thevideo recording. Therefore, it is possible to improve convenience whenhandling the data of a captured video image in the wearable camerasystem.

In wearable camera 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment, thepieces of the attribute information different from one another withrespect to each of the plurality of the setting states can be allocatedand set in attribute selecting switch SW4. Accordingly, it is possibleto selectively set the desired attribute information from the pluralityof pieces of attribute information by operating attribute selectingswitch SW4 and is possible to assign suitable attribute to the data of avideo image.

In wearable camera 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment, MCU19 detects an input from attribute information assigning switch SW3during a session from an end of a video recording operation of the videoimage data performed by capture 11 till a start of a next videorecording operation, or during a video recording operation of the videoimage data performed by capture 11, thereby assigning the attributeinformation to the video recording data which has video-recordedimmediately before, or to the video recording data which is currentlyvideo-recorded.

Accordingly, it is possible to easily assign the attribute informationwith respect to the data of a video image by operating the simplex bodyof wearable camera 10 immediately after being video-recorded or duringvideo recording.

Subsequently, a second exemplary example according to the presentinvention will be described. Basically, the wearable camera according tothe second exemplary example also has the same configuration as thewearable camera according to the first exemplary example. Therefore,descriptions will be referred to FIGS. 1 to 8 as necessary.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure ofthe video-recorded image list, according to the second exemplaryexample. In wearable camera 10, when performing video recording, asillustrated in FIG. 8, together with data of a captured video image,meta-information including the attribute information which is associatedwith the data of a video image is generated, and both the pieces of dataare stored in storage 15 as video recording data in which both thepieces of data are associated with each other. In other words, the videorecording data stored in storage 15 includes the data of a video imageand the meta-information. When transmitting the data of a video imagefrom wearable camera 10 to servers SV1 to SV3, the video recording dataincluding the data of a video image and the meta-information istransmitted and accumulated.

The meta-information in association with the data of a video image isstored in a form of the video-recorded image list as illustrated in FIG.11. The meta-information of the video-recorded image list includes anevent ID, time information, a camera ID, a user ID, attributeinformation, GPS information, and the like. The event ID isidentification information for identifying the event of video recording.In the present exemplary embodiment, one session of a video recordingoperation from the start of video recording until the end of videorecording is defined as one event, and an event ID is assigned to eachevent (hereinafter, also referred to as the video recording event) ofvideo recording operation. As the event ID, the file name or the like ofthe data of a video image may be applied. The time information is timeinformation of each video recording event, and the start time of videorecording is assigned, for example. As the time information, in additionto applying of only the start time of video recording, the start time ofvideo recording and the end time of video recording, the start time ofvideo recording and the duration time of video recording, and the likemay be applied.

The camera ID is identification information for individually identifyingwearable camera 10. A user ID is identification information of a policeofficer who is a user using wearable camera 10. When wearable camera 10is in use, the camera ID and the user ID are set so that it can bedistinguished with respect to the data of a video-recorded image whichone of the cameras used for video recording by whom.

The attribute information is the classification information foridentifying the type of the data of a video image and is assigned inaccordance with attribute information assigning switch SW3 and attributeselecting switch SW4 operated by a user based on the contents of the setattribute information illustrated in FIG. 7. In the present exemplaryembodiment, the plurality of pieces of the attribute information can beassigned to one video recording event (the same event ID). GPSinformation is positional information indicating the location wherevideo recording of the data of a video image is performed. For example,current positional information at the time of a start of video recordingis acquired from GPS 18, thereby being assigned. Each piece of theabove-described meta-information is assigned through the processing ofMCU 19 at the time of the start of video recording or immediately afterthe end of video recording, thereby being stored in storage 15 by beingassociated with the data of a video image.

Next, the assigning operation of attribute information in a secondexemplary example will be described in more detail.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a procedure regardingthe attribute information assigning operation of wearable camera 10 ofthe present exemplary embodiment.

MCU 19 in wearable camera 10 performs initial setting before the videorecording operation (Step S11). The initial setting of wearable camera10 is carried out by, for example, when a police officer who is a useris dispatched, connecting to a PC in a police station and operating thePC so as to transmit setting information. As the initial setting,assigning of a camera ID and a user ID (refer to FIG. 9), activation ofattribute information assigning switch SW3 and attribute selectingswitch SW4, and allocation a plurality of pieces of attributeinformation to attribute selecting switch SW4 (refer to FIG. 7) arecarried out.

When an input of video recording switch SW1 is detected, MCU 19 starts avideo recording operation and performs capturing using capture 11,thereby storing data of a video image of a moving image in storage 15(Step S12).

In addition, MCU 19 inputs a selecting state of attribute selectingswitch SW4 (Step S13) and determines the presence or absence of an inputof attribute information assigning switch SW3 (Step S14).

When there is an input from attribute information assigning switch SW3,MCU 19 reads attribute information corresponding to the state ofattribute selecting switch SW4 from EEPROM 16 and assigns to the data ofa video image (Step S15). In addition, MCU 19 outputs meta-informationincluding the assigned attribute information to storage 15, associatesthe meta-information with data of a video image which is currentlyvideo-recorded, and stores the meta-information (Step S16). Themeta-information includes an event ID, time information, attributeinformation, a camera ID, a user ID, and GPS information (refer to FIG.11).

Next, MCU 19 determines whether or not one event of video recording endsand then an operation of next video recording starts (Step S17). Until astart of an event of next video recording, assigning of other attributeinformation is allowed. When a next operation of video recording is notstarted, MCU 19 returns to processing of Steps S13 and S14, performsprocessing of Step S15 and S16 in accordance with a user's instructionof assigning attribute information, that is, when there is an input ofattribute information assigning switch SW3, assigns attributeinformation corresponding to the state of attribute selecting switchSW4, associates the attribute information with data of a video imagewhich is currently video-recorded, and stores the attribute information.

Here, when a second input of video recording switch SW1 is detected, MCU19 ends the video recording operation for one event of video recording.As described above, when a next video recording operation is not startedeven after the video recording operation for one event of videorecording is ended, processing of Step S13 to S16 is carried out. Inthis case, attribute information corresponding to the state of attributeselecting switch SW4 is assigned in accordance with an input ofattribute information assigning switch SW3, is associated with the dataof video recording stored immediately before after the end of the videorecording operation, and is stored.

In the determination of Step S17, when a next video recording operationis started, MCU 19 ends assigning processing of attribute information.

Meanwhile, in the above-described example, among attribute informationallocated to attribute selecting switch SW4 in advance, attributeinformation corresponding to the state of attribute selecting switch SW4is assigned; however, for example, it is also possible to assignattribute information corresponding to a user's voice using a voicerecognition function. In this case, it becomes possible to assign anyattribute information without any limitation in the number of physicalcontact points of the attribute selecting switch.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a time chart showing an example of theattribute information assigning operation in the present exemplaryembodiment. The illustrated example illustrates an example of anoperation in which two pieces of attribute information are assigned fromthe start to end of one event of video recording, and one piece ofattribute information is assigned after the end of the event of videorecording until the start of a next event of video recording.

In wearable camera 10, when video recording of data of a video imagestarts and attribute information assigning switch SW3 is operated at thetime of t1, attribute information A corresponding to the state ofattribute selecting switch SW4 at this time is assigned to the date of avideo image which is currently video-recorded. After that, when thestate of attribute selecting switch SW4 is switched and attributeinformation assigning switch SW3 is operated by a user at the time oft2, attribute information B corresponding to the state of attributeselecting switch SW4 at this time is assigned to the date of a videoimage which is currently video-recorded. In addition, when the state ofattribute selecting switch SW4 is switched and attribute informationassigning switch SW3 is operated by a user after the end of videorecording of data of a video image before the start of next videorecording, attribute information C corresponding to the state ofattribute selecting switch SW4 at this time is assigned to the date of avideo image which is video-recorded immediately before. The attributeinformation C at this time is assigned as attribute information at thetime of starting video recording to. In the video-recorded image listshown in FIG. 9, time information corresponds to a time at whichattribute information is assigned. That is, it is possible to assign aplurality of pieces of attribute information which differ depending onthe elapsed time (video image position) together with time informationin one data of a video image.

For example, when a police officer is dispatched to a scene of anincident and records a video using wearable camera 10, there are casesin which the status of the scene is changed during the recording of avideo and assigning of different pieces of attribute information isrequired. The example of the video-recorded image list shown in FIG. 9shows an example in which, in a case where a police officer starts videorecording in a scene of over-speed driving, assigns attributeinformation of over-speed driving, and then finds out that the driverhas done driving while intoxicated, the police officer additionallyassigns attribute information of driving while intoxicated. As describedabove, when one date of a video image of one event of video recordingincludes multiple scenes including different video recording contents,for example, includes several incident elements, many pieces ofattribute information differing depending on scenes can be assigned.

As described above, in the second exemplary example, when an image isrecorded using wearable camera 10, it is possible to easily assign aplurality of pieces of attribute information regarding data of a videoimage while or immediately after the video is recorded by an operationof wearable camera 10 alone. Therefore, even in an imaging spot in caseof urgency, it is possible to reliably set a transmission destination onthe basis of the attribute information of the video image data. Inaddition, when data of a video image accumulated in a server is used, itis possible to easily determine to which type of data of a video imagethe captured image belongs and extract the data by referring toattribute information. In addition, it is possible to easily identifywhen, where, with which camera, and by whom the image has been recordedand what content the image includes using meta-information includingattribute information and increase the reliability of the image as anevidence. In addition, it is possible to accurately and appropriatelydetermine and extract the type of data of a video image by assigning aplurality of pieces of attribute information.

According to the second exemplary example, since multiple attributes canbe easily set for data of a video image using wearable camera 10, it ispossible to save efforts for assigning attribute information andconveniently identify data of a video image. Therefore, it is possibleto improve convenience when data of a captured video image is handled.

As described above, when attribute information is respectively assignedto multiple times of inputs from attribute information assigning switchSW3, it is possible to easily assign a plurality of pieces of attributeinformation to one data of a video image while or immediately after dataof a video image is recorded using wearable camera 10. Then, it ispossible to save efforts for assigning attribute information andconveniently identify data of a video image immediately after recordingof an image, and thus convenience for handling data of a captured videoimage can be improved in wearable camera system.

In addition, in wearable camera 10, it is possible to individually setdifferent pieces of attribute information to multiple setting states ofattribute selecting switch SW4 by allocating the different pieces ofattribute information. Then, it is possible to selectively set desiredattribute information from a plurality of pieces of attributeinformation by an operation of attribute selecting switch SW4 and assignan appropriate attribute to data of a video image.

In addition, it is possible to easily assign a plurality of pieces ofattribute information to data of a video image by an operation ofwearable camera 10 alone immediately after or while the image isrecorded. For example, when one date of a video image of one event ofvideo recording includes multiple scenes including different videorecording contents, it is possible to assign many pieces of attributeinformation differing depending on scenes together with pieces of timeinformation for individual scenes.

Hereinafter, various embodiments have been described with reference tothe accompanying drawings, but it is needless to say that the presentinvention is not limited to the examples. It is evident that a personskilled in the art is conceivable of various transformation examples ormodification examples within the scope of the claims, and it isunderstood that those examples belong to the technical scope of thepresent invention. In addition, within the scope of the gist of thepresent invention, individual components may be arbitrarily combined tothe embodiments.

Next, a third exemplary example will be described. The third exemplaryexample will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 as necessary.FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting of atransmission destination of the data of a video image in accordance withthe attribute information. In the present embodiment, attributeinformation of the date of a video image and the data transmissiondestination are tied together, and, during data transmission, the dateof a video image is distributed and accumulated in multiple serversdepending on attribute information. When data of a video image capturedusing wearable camera 10 is transmitted, as illustrated in FIG. 8,servers of transmission destinations differing depending on attributeinformation are set. In the illustrated example, a car accident, adriving while intoxicated, and over-speed driving are respectivelydistributed to Server-1, Server-2, and Server-3. For example, Server-1corresponds to server SV1, Server-2 corresponds to server SV2, andServer-3 corresponds to server SV3. Priorities differ depending on thetypes of data of captured video images (herein, the types of incidents),and there are cases in which preservation periods differ to be twoyears, ten years, and the like depending on the regulation of theevidence preservation periods and the like. Therefore, a server oftransmission destination is set on the basis of attribute information sothat attribute information can be accumulated in an appropriate server.Meanwhile, depending on attribute information, a case can be consideredin which data of a video image with multiple attributes is transmittedto the same server; however, herein, different transmission destinationsare set for individual attribute information.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of data structure of thevideo recording data and FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example ofdata structure of the video-recorded image list. In wearable camera 10of the present embodiment, when a video is recorded, as shown in FIG.15, meta-information including attribute information associated withvideo recording data is generated together with captured video recordingdata, and video recording data obtained by associating both data isstored in storage 15. That is, video recording data stored in storage 15include video image data and meta-information. When video image data istransmitted to servers SV1 to SV3 from wearable camera 10, videorecording data including video image data and meta-information istransmitted and accumulated.

Meta-information associated with video recording data is stored in aform of a video-recorded image list shown in FIG. 16. Meta-informationin the video-recorded image list includes an event ID, time information,a camera ID, a user ID, priority, attribute information, GPSinformation, and the like. The event ID is identification informationfor identifying an event of video recording. In the present embodiment,one operation for video recording from the start to end of videorecording is regulated as one event, and one event ID is assigned to anevent of individual video recording operation (hereinafter, alsoreferred to as video recording event). As the event ID, the file name ofvideo recording data may be used. The time information is timeinformation of individual video recording event, and, for example,recording start time is assigned. As the time information, in additionto recording start time, recording start time and recording end time,and recording start time and recording stop time, and the like may beused.

The camera ID is identification information for identifying individualwearable cameras 10. The user ID is identification information of apolice officer who is a user using wearable camera 10. When wearablecamera 10 is used, the camera ID and the user ID are set forvideo-recorded video recording data so that who has recorded the imageusing which camera can be determined.

The attribute information is classification information for identifyingthe class of video image data, and is assigned in accordance with theoperations of attribute information assigning switch SW3 and attributeselecting switch SW4 by a user, on the basis of the setting contents ofthe attribute information shown in FIG. 7. The priority is priorityinformation which is set by the attribute information on the basis ofthe setting contents of the attribute information shown in FIG. 7. TheGPS information is location information indicating a place in whichvideo image data is recorded, and is assigned by acquiring, for example,current location information during the start of video recording fromGPS 18. The each piece of the meta-information is assigned by theprocess of MCU 19 immediately after the start of video recording or thetermination of video recording, and is stored in storage 15 inassociation with the video image data.

Next, the attribute information assigning operation in the third examplewill be described in more detail.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a procedureregarding the attribute information assigning operation in wearablecamera 10 of the present exemplary embodiment.

MCU 19 of wearable camera 10 executes an initial setting in advance ofthe video recording operation (step S11). The initial setting ofwearable camera 10 is performed by transmitting the setting informationthrough connection to a PC within a police station and the operation ofthe PC, for example, when a police officer which is a user isdispatched. As the initial setting, the assignment of camera ID and userID (see FIG. 16), the validation of attribute information assigningswitch SW3 and attribute selecting switch SW4, the allocation of aplurality of pieces of attribute information to attribute selectingswitch SW4 (see FIG. 7) are executed.

When the input of video recording switch SW1 is detected, MCU 19 startsthe video recording operation, executes imaging by capture 11, and storevideo image data of a moving image in storage 15 (step S12).

When the second input of video recording switch SW1 is detected, MCU 19terminates the video recording operation of one video recording event(step S13). Subsequently, MCU 19 inputs the selection state of attributeselecting switch SW4 (step S14), and determines the presence or absenceof the input of attribute information assigning switch SW3 (step S15).

When the input from attribute information assigning switch SW3 isperformed, MCU 19 reads attribute information corresponding to the stateof attribute selecting switch SW4 from EEPROM 16, and assigns theattribute information to the video image data (step S16). MCU 19 outputsmeta-information including the assigned attribute information to storage15, terminates the video recording operation immediately before that,and stores the meta-information in association with the stored videoimage data (step S17). The meta-information includes event ID, timeinformation, attribute information, priority, camera ID, user ID, andGPS information (see FIG. 16). MCU 19 terminates the attributeinformation assigning process.

Meanwhile, in the above-mentioned example, although a procedure ofterminating one video recording event and then assigning the attributeinformation is illustrated, a procedure may be used in which the inputof attribute information assigning switch SW3 may be detected during thecontinuation of the video recording operation, and the attributeinformation is assigned during video recording.

In addition, in the above-mentioned example, the attribute informationcorresponding to the state of attribute selecting switch SW4 is assignedfrom the attribute information which is allocated to attribute selectingswitch SW4 in advance, but attribute information corresponding to avoice emitted by a user can also be assigned using, for example, a voicerecognition function.

Next, the transmission operation of the video image data in the presentembodiment will be described in more detail.

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a procedureregarding the video image data transmission operation in wearable camera10 of the present embodiment.

When communication mode switch SW5 is switched to STA1, MCU 19 ofwearable camera 10 is connected to an access point within a policestation or under the present system management by communicator 21, andis set to be in a state of being capable of transmitting the video imagedata. When non-transmitted video recording data is present in storage15, MCU 19 starts the transmission process of the video image data.

When the transmission of the video image data is performed, MCU 19acquires a video-recorded image list as shown in FIG. 16 from storage 15(step S21). MCU 19 acquires attribute information X of thenon-transmitted video recording data from the meta-information of theinitial video recording data (step S22). Subsequently, MCU 19 determineswhether the attribute information X corresponds to any of A, B, and C(step S23). In the setting example of the attribute information shown inFIG. 7, A is equivalent to a traffic accident, B is equivalent todrunken driving, and C is equivalent to over-speed. In addition, in thesetting example of the transmission destination based on the attributeinformation of FIG. 14, the transmission destination of attributeinformation A is set to Server-1, the transmission destination ofattribute information B is set to Server-2, and the transmissiondestination of attribute information C is set to Server-3.

When attribute information X corresponds to A (traffic accident), MCU 19sets Server-1 (server SV1) as the transmission destination of the videorecording data including the video image data (step S24). The priorityof the attribute information corresponding to a traffic accident is setto be High, and the video image data is preferentially transmitted toServer-1. For example, video image data having a high priority ispreferentially transmitted to a server having a high line speed duringdata transmission. Here, Server-1 (server SV1) is set to a transmissiondestination of video image data having a high priority. In addition,when attribute information X corresponds to B (drunken driving), MCU 19sets Server-2 (server SV2) as the transmission destination of the videorecording data including the video image data (step S25). In addition,when attribute information X corresponds to C (over-speed), MCU 19 setsServer-3 (server SV3) as the transmission destination of the videorecording data including the video image data (step S26).

MCU 19 starts to transmit the video recording data including the videoimage data to a server of the set transmission destination, andcompletes this transmission operation (step S27). Next, MCU 19determines whether the transmitted video recording data is final videorecording data (step S28), and terminates the transmission process whenthe video recording data is non-transmitted final video recording datastored in storage 15. When the video recording data is not final videorecording data, MCU 19 acquires attribute information X frommeta-information of the next video recording data (step S29).Thereafter, MCU 19 executes the processes of steps S23 to S28 similarly,and repeats the processes of steps S23 to S29 until the transmission ofthe final video recording data is completed.

In this manner, in the third example, when the data of captured videoimage is transmitted using wearable camera 10, it is possible to set atransmission destination on the basis of the attribute informationassigned to the video image data, and to transmit video image data to apredetermined transmission destination based on the attributeinformation and accumulate the video image data. Therefore, even in animaging spot in case of urgency, it is possible to reliably set atransmission destination on the basis of the attribute information ofthe video image data. In addition, it is possible to use a server thatperforms accumulation on the basis of the attribute information of thevideo image data, and to perform distribution to each transmissiondestination in accordance with the attribute information during thetransmission of the video image data from wearable camera 10. Inaddition, video image data having a high priority as the attributeinformation can be preferentially transmitted to a predetermined serverconforming to an operational condition and be accumulated.

According to the third example, since the transmission destination canbe easily determined by wearable camera 10 in accordance with theattribute information, it is possible to reduce much time and laborduring the transmission of data of video-recorded image. Thereby, inwearable camera system, it is possible to improve convenience when thedata of captured video image is handled.

As described above, wearable camera 10 of the present embodimentincludes capture 11, storage 15 that stores video image data captured bycapture 11 and attribute information associated with the video imagedata, and communicator 21 that transmits the video image data, andincludes MCU 19 that sets a transmission destination on the basis of theattribute information of the video image data to be transmitted when thevideo image data stored in storage 15 is transmitted, and transmits thevideo image data using communicator 21.

As described above, by setting the transfer destination of the videoimage data captured by the capture 11 based on the attribute informationwhich is associated with the video image data, and transferring thevideo image data to the transfer destination, it is possible to easilytransfer the video image data to the predetermined transfer destinationcorresponding to the attribute information to accumulate the video imagedata. In addition, the server in which the video image data isaccumulated according to the attribute information can be selectivelyused, and thus, it is possible to distribute the video image data toeach transfer destination according to the attribute information whentransferring the video image data from wearable camera 10. In addition,the video image data having a high priority in view of attributeinformation can be transferred to the predetermined server which matcheswith the operation condition and be accumulated.

In addition, in wearable camera 10 in the third embodiment, the transferdestination can be set with respect to each of a plurality of attributeinformation items as the transfer destination of the video image data,and at least two or more different transfer destinations can be setaccording to the attribute information. In this way, it is possible toassign the different transfer destinations with respect to at least twoor more different attribute information items, and thus, it is possibleto distribute the video image data to each transfer destinationaccording to the attribute information when transferring the video imagedata from wearable camera 10.

In addition, in wearable camera 10 in the third embodiment, MCU 19 setsthe transfer destination according to the attribute information of thevideo image data to be transferred with respect to the video image dataimmediately before capture 11 finishes the recording or thenon-transferred video image data, and transfers the video image data tothe set transfer destination to cause the video image data to berecorded. In this way, it is possible to easily set the transferdestination based on the attribute information with respect to the videoimage data immediately before the recording being finished or anon-transferred video image data, and to transfer the video image datato each transfer destination.

In addition, in wearable camera 10 in the third embodiment, the prioritycan be set to the attribute information, and MCU 19 sets the transferdestination according to the priority of the attribute information, andpreferentially transfers the video image data having a higher priority.In this way, the transfer destination can be set by the priority of theattribute information, and thus, it is possible to preferentiallytransfer the video image data having a higher priority to theappropriate transfer destination.

In addition, in wearable camera 10 in the third embodiment furtherincludes an operation input unit that inputs the operation by the user.The operation input unit includes attribute information assigning switchSW3 that inputs the operation of assigning the attribute informationrelating to the video image data and attribute information selectingswitch SW4 that inputs the operation of selecting the attributeinformation. In a case where the assigning operation is input fromattribute information assigning switch SW3, MCU 19 assigns the attributeinformation corresponding to the setting state of attribute informationselecting switch SW4 to the video image data, and then, stores the videoimage data in storage unit 15. In this way, by an operation ofstandalone wearable camera 10, it is possible to easily assign theattribute information to the recorded video image data.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. When a policeman equippedwith a single wearable camera captures the situation of the site wherethe policeman rushed to arrive at in response to an emergency call-out,in a case where there is provided only a single wearable camera, oncethe wearable camera is mounted, usually the mounted position can not bechanged. Therefore, the range of capturing is limited and thus, there iscase where it is difficult to accurately and widely capture thesituation of the site using a single wearable camera. Therefore, theconvenience for handling the recorded video image data deteriorates. Inorder to cope with this problem, in the fourth embodiment, a wearablecamera system and a method of capturing are provided, which assistsaccurate and wide capturing of a situation of a site by a policeman andimproves the convenience of handling the data of capture video image.

Hereinafter, the embodiment (hereafter, referred to as “the presentembodiment”) in which the wearable camera system and a method ofcapturing in the fourth embodiment are specifically disclosed will bedescribed in detail with reference to the drawings. The wearable camerasystem in the present embodiment is configured to include a first cameraand a second camera with which can be equipped by a user (for example, apoliceman OF, similarly below) on his/her body, clothes, head, or thelike. In the present embodiment the policeman changes the camera fromthe first camera to the second camera when capturing the image with thefirst camera firstly, or changes the camera from the second camera tothe first camera when capturing the image with the second camerafirstly. In addition, when the policeman captures the image using anyone of the wearable cameras of the first camera and the second camera,the policeman captures the image both of the wearable camera by addingthe other wearable camera.

FIG. 19 is an explanation diagram relating to the outline of wearablecamera system 100 in the present embodiment and use of the data of videoimages captured by the wearable cameras (first camera 10 and secondcamera 10S). The same reference numbers will be given to the componentshaving basically the same configurations as in the first to thirdembodiments. In wearable camera system 100 in the present embodiment,first camera 10, second camera 105, or both of first camera 10 andsecond camera 10S which are the wearable cameras which can be equippedby the user (for example, policeman OF) on his/her body, clothes, head,or the like are used.

First camera 10 is a wearable camera having a communication function forperforming a communication between mobile terminal 50 such as a smartphone or the like, vehicle-mounted system 60 mounted on a vehicle (forexample, a patrol car), or servers (back-end servers SV1, SV2, and SV3)disposed in an organization of the user.

Second camera 10S is a wearable camera having a communication functionfor performing a communication with first camera 10. The first camera 10and second camera 10S are connected to each other via a cable CB (referto FIG. 20).

In addition, in wearable camera system 100, first camera 10, secondcamera 10S, mobile terminal 50, vehicle-mounted system 60 configure afront end system, and management software 70 on the network and back-endserver SV1, SV2, and SV3 configure the back-end system.

Hereinafter, to describe the present embodiment clearly, as an exampleof a pattern for using wearable camera system 100, it is assumed thatthe policeman OF in a police station wears and uses first camera 10 andsecond camera 10S (refer to FIG. 20). In this case, policeman OFperforms capturing the image by any one of first camera 10 or secondcamera 10S, or performs capturing the image by both of first camera 10or second camera 10S. First camera 10 transfers the video image dataobtained by first camera 10, second camera 10S, or both thereof to theback-end system deployed in the police station. The video image datatransferred form first camera 10 is accumulated in back-end servers SV1,SV2, and SV3. Not limited to policeman OF, first camera 10 may be usedby various other business area (for example, a security company).

The front end system that is illustrated in FIG. 19 is configured toinclude first camera 10 and second camera 10S that police official OFwho is dispatched to the front line of the field can wear, mobileterminal 50 that police official OF carries, and vehicle-mounted system60 that is mounted within a police car. Mobile terminal 50 is a wirelesscommunication device such as a smartphone, a mobile telephone, a tabletterminal, or a personal digital assistant (PDA). Vehicle-mounted system60 has a camera, a PC, a communication unit, and makes up avehicle-mounted camera system, am image managerial system, and the like.

When police official OF who is assigned a predetermined task (forexample, patrol) is dispatched from a police station, police official OFwears first camera 10, second camera 10S and carries the mobile terminal50, rides in the police car that is equipped with the vehicle-mountedsystem 60, and drives the police car to the field. In the front endsystem, from example, an image of the field at which the police cararrives is captured by a camera of vehicle-mounted system 60.Furthermore, police official OF gets off the police car and captures amore detailed image of the field, using first camera 10, second camera10S, or both of them. Image data on a moving image or a static imagethat is captured by first camera 10, second camera 10S, or both of themis retained in a recoding unit of mobile terminal 50, such as a memory,or in a recording unit, using a storage of a PC of vehicle-mountedsystem 60, or the like, and is transmitted (uploaded) to a back endsystem. Furthermore, mobile terminal 50 or vehicle-mounted system 60transmits various pieces of data including the image data, to the backend system. Transmission of the data to the back end system is performedthrough the connection to the back end system from the field forwireless communication. However, alternatively, when the patrol iscompleted and the police official goes back to the police station, thetransmission of the data is performed through wired communication,wireless communication, or manually (for example, by carrying a storagemedium).

Back end system that is illustrated in FIG. 19 is configured to includeback end servers SV1 to SV3 that are installed within the police stationor at other places, and management software 70 for performingcommunication with the front end system. Each of back end servers SV1 toSV3 includes a storage such as a hard disk drive (HDD) inside of oroutside of each. In the back end system, the image data and other piecesof data that are transmitted from the front end system are accumulatedin back end server SV1 to SV3.

Back end servers SV1 to SV3 receive the image data that is transmittedfrom first camera 10 or vehicle-mounted system 60, and retains thereceived image data in the storage such as the hard disk drive (HDD).

The pieces of image data that are accumulated in the back end system,for example, are used by the person in charge who works for the relevantdepartment of the police station. The image data is copied on apredetermined recording medium (for example, a digital versatile disk(DVD)) whenever necessary, and the recording medium is provides as apieces of evidence in a predetermined scene (for example, a trial).

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to acquire or retainan evidence image of the field in a more exact manner, using firstcamera 10 and second camera 10S that police official OF wears. Whenfirst camera 10 and second camera 10S are used, identificationinformation (a user ID) of a user (police official OF), andidentification information (for example, a camera ID) of each of firstcamera 10 and second camera 10S are set in advance. Thus, when thepieces of image data that are accumulated in the back end server wasobtained, as images, by who, using which wearable camera, can be clearlyidentified in a clearly-distinguishable manner.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating one example of a state where thepolice official wears both of first camera 10 and second camera 10Saccording to the present embodiment. Police official OF wears firstcamera 10 in the vicinity of a chest portion of his/her uniform or usinga case, in a fixed manner, or put first camera 10 into a pocket forcarrying. Furthermore, police official OF connects to first camera 10and second camera 10S through cable CB, and for example, wears secondcamera 10S in the vicinity of the upper portion of his/her left ear in afixed manner, using a clip.

In an example in FIG. 20, second camera 10S can capture an image of anobject that is at a higher position than an area whose image is capturedby first camera 10. Furthermore, while first camera 10 captures an imagein the front direction (in the lower left direction on the paper sheeton which FIG. 20 is drawn) of police official OF, second camera 10S maycapture an image in the rear direction (in the upper right direction onthe paper sheet on which FIG. 2 is drawn) of police official OF.Therefore, one example of a state where police official OF wears firstcamera 10 and second camera 10S is described referring to FIG. 20, buthow police official OF wears first camera 10 and second camera 10S isnot particularly limited.

As illustrated in FIG. 20, first camera 10 is worn, for use, on clothesthat the user wears or on the body of the user, in such a manner that animage is captured from a view point of a position close to the user'seye, such as the chest of police official OF, that is, the user. Policeofficial OF, who wears first camera 10 and second camera 10S, performsimaging of an photographic subject in the neighborhood by operatingrecording switch SW1 or recording switch SW1 s. As described above, animaging range of second camera 10S can include a higher position than animaging range of first camera 10. Police official OF can perform theimaging by switching between first camera 10 and second camera 10S orusing both of them, in such a manner that an image of a situation of thefield can be captured precisely and widely.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating one example of external appearances offirst camera 10 and second camera 10S according to the presentembodiment. In FIG. 21, a state of first camera 10 when viewed fromfront is illustrated, and a state of second camera 10S when viewedobliquely is illustrated. Imaging lens 11 a of imaging unit 11 (refer toFIG. 24), recording switch SW1, and snapshot switch SW2 are provided onthe front side of approximately-rectangular parallelepiped-shaped caseof first camera 10 that is illustrated in FIG. 21. For example, whilepushed down for a predetermined period of time, (for example,approximately one second), recording switch SW1 starts recording(imaging of a moving image). While pushed down for another predeterminedperiod of time (for example, approximately three seconds), recordingswitch SW1 stops recording. Whenever pushed down, snapshot switch SW2captures a static image each time.

Imaging lens 11 s 1 is provided on the front side (a side that facesfirst camera 10 that is illustrated in FIG. 21) of anapproximately-cylindrical case of second camera 10S that is illustratedin FIG. 21, microphone hole MCh through which microphone 11 s 6 isexposed is provided in front of the case (in the lower left direction ofthe paper sheet on which FIG. 21 is drawn), and recording switch SW1 sis provided in rear of the case (in the upper right direction of thepaper sheet on which FIG. 21 is drawn).

FIG. 22 is a left-side diagram illustrating one example of first camera10 according to the present embodiment. Illustrated in FIG. 22,attribute information assignment switch SW3, attribute selection switchSW4, USB connector 22 a are provided on the left side when viewed fromthe front side of the case of first camera 10. By police official OFpushing down attribute information assignment switch SW3, attributeinformation according to a selection state of attribute selection switchSW4 is assigned to image data (hereinafter, referred to as “first imagedata”) that is obtained by the imaging and the recording by first camera10, image data (hereinafter referred to as “second image data) whoseimage is captured by second camera 10S and is stored (recorded) by firstcamera 10, or image data that results from combining the first imagedata and the second image data. Attribute selection switch SW4 is aslide switch that has three-step connection positions, that is, C1, C2,and C3. Police official OF selects the attribution information that isallocation-set each of C1 to C3, for designation. An external device(for example, first camera 10, vehicle-mounted system 60, or the PCwithin the police station) is connected to the USB connector 22 athrough a cable that corresponds to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) andthus transmission and reception of data are possible.

FIG. 23 is a right-side diagram illustrating one example of first camera10 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 23,communication mode switch SW5 and indicator switch SW6 are provided onthe right side when viewed from the front side of the case of firstcamera 10. Communication mode switch SW5 is a switch that has four-stepconnection positions, that is, AP, STA1, STA2, and OFF. Police officialOF selects a communication mode of first camera 10 for designation. TheAP is an access point mode in which first camera 10 that is the wearablecamera operates as an access point of a local area network (LAN), andconnects to mobile terminal 50 in a wireless manner, and communicationis performed between first camera 10 and mobile terminal 50. In theaccess point mode, mobile terminal 50 connects to first camera 10, andthus display of a current live image captured by first camera 10,reproduction of the image that is recorded, assignment of the attributeinformation, display of the static image that is captured, and the likecan be performed. The STA1 and STA2 are station modes in which, in thecase of the connection to an external device through the wireless LAN,the communication is performed with the external device serving as theaccess point. The STA1 is a mode in which a connection to an accesspoint within the police station is made. The STA2 is a mode in which aconnection to vehicle-mounted system 60. In the station mode, setting offirst camera 10, transmission (upload) of the image data in first camera10, and the like are performed. The OFF is a mode in which acommunication operation through the wireless LAN is turned off and thewireless LAN is set to be not in use.

In the illustrated example, indicator switch SW6 is a slide switchhaving contact point positions of four stages of LED, Vibration, LED &Vibration, and OFF. Police officer OF selects and designates thenotification mode of first camera 10. LED is a mode for displaying anoperational state of first camera 10 in recording and the like, forexample, through LEDs 26 a to 26 c. Vibration is a mode for issuingnotification of an operational state of first camera 10 throughvibration of vibrator 27. LED & Vibration is a mode for issuingnotification of an operational state of first camera 10 through thedisplaying of LEDs 26 a to 26 c and vibration of vibrator 27. OFF is amode for turning off the notification operation of an operational state.

LEDs 26 a to 26 c are disposed on the top face when viewed in front ofthe casing of first camera 10. Accordingly, the LEDs can be easily andvisually recognized by a user in a state of being equipped with firstcamera 10, and no one else can see the LEDs except the user oneself.Contact terminal 23 is provided on the bottom face of the casing offirst camera 10 when viewed in front thereof.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internalconfiguration of first camera 10, according to the exemplary example ofthe present invention. First camera 10 illustrated in FIG. 24 includescapture 11, general purpose input/output (GPIO) 12, RAM 13, ROM 14,storage 15, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)16, real time clock (RTC) 17, global positioning system (GPS) 18, microcontrol unit (MCU) 19, communicator 21, universal serial bus (USB) 22,contact terminal 23, power source 24, and battery 25. As an example ofoperation input sections, first camera 10 is configured to include videorecording switch SW1, snapshot switch SW2, attribute informationassigning switch SW3, attribute selecting switch SW4, communication modeswitch SW5, and indicator switch SW6. As an example of state displays,first camera 10 is configured to include three light emitting diodes(LED) 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c, and vibrator 27.

Capture 11 has image capturing lens 11 a, and a solid-state imagingdevice such as a charge coupled device-type (CCD) image sensor or acomplementary metal oxide semiconductor-type (CMOS) image sensor, andoutputs data of a video image of an imaging target obtained throughimage capturing to MCU 19.

GPIO 12 is a parallel interface through which signals are input andoutput between video recording switch SW1, snapshot switch SW2,attribute information assigning switch SW3, attribute selecting switchSW4, communication mode switch SW5, indicator switch SW6, LEDs 26 a to26 c, and vibrator 27; and MCU 19.

RAM 13 is a working memory which is used when operating MCU 19.

ROM 14 is a memory in which programs and data for controlling MCU 19 arestored in advance.

Storage 15 is configured with, for example, a storage medium such as anSD memory, and stores image data (first image data) obtained andcaptured by capture 11, or second image data transmitted from secondcamera 10S. When using the SD memory as storage 15, it is possible toattach and detach first camera 10 to and from a main body of a case.

EEPROM 16 stores identification information for identifying first camera10 (for example, a camera ID indicated by, for example a serial number),and other piece of setting information which is input through theinitial setting (for example, allocation information between attributeselecting switch SW4 and each piece of attribute informationcorresponding to C1, C2, and C3).

RTC 17 counts current time information and outputs the information toMCU 19.

GPS 18 receives the current position information of first camera 10 froma GPS transmitter and outputs the current position information to MCU19.

MCU 19 has a function as a control unit, and performs a control processfor overall controlling the operation of each unit of first camera 10,an input and output process of data between each unit and the otherunit, an operation (calculation) process of data, and a storage processof data, and operates in accordance with programs and data stored in ROM14. MCU 19 obtains the current time information from RTC 17 and thecurrent position information from GPS 18, respectively, by using RAM 13,during an operation.

Communicator 21 specifies connection between communicator 21 and MCU 19,for example, in a physical layer which is a first layer of an opensystems interconnection (OSI) reference model, and performs wirelesscommunication (for example, Wifi (registered trademark)) through, forexample, a wireless LAN (W-LAN) in accordance with the specification.Communicator 21 to be used may perform wireless communication such asBluetooth (registered trademark).

USB 22, which is a serial bus, allows first camera 10 to be connected toin-car system 60 or a PC or the like in a police station.

Contact terminal 23, which is a terminal for electrical connection to acradle, an external adaptor, and the like, is connected to MCU 19 viaUSB 22, and is connected to power source 24. First camera 10 can becharged and communication of data including video image data can beperformed via contact terminal 23. Contact terminal 23 is provided with,for example, “charge terminal V+”, “CON.DET terminal”, “data terminalsD- and D+”, and “ground terminal”. CON.DET terminal is a terminal fordetecting a variation in voltage. Data terminals D− and D+ are terminalsfor transmitting video image data captured by first camera 10, which isa wearable camera, and the like to an external PC or the like, forexample, via a USB connector terminal. Contact terminal 23 and aconnector of a cradle or an external adaptor are connected to eachother, and thus data communication can be performed between first camera10 and an external apparatus.

Power source 24 supplies electricity for power supplied from a cradle oran external adaptor via contact terminal 23 to battery 25, therebycharging battery 25. Battery 25 is constituted by a rechargeablesecondary battery and supplies electricity for power to each of theunits of first camera 10 which is a wearable camera.

Video recording switch SW1 is a push button switch for inputting anoperational instruction to perform the start/stop of video recording(capturing of a moving image) through a pressing operation of a policeofficer OF.

Snapshot switch SW2 is a push button switch for inputting an operationalinstruction to perform image capturing of a still image through apressing operation of a police officer OF.

Attribute information assigning switch SW3 is a push button switch forinputting an operational instruction to assign attribute information tovideo image data through a pressing operation of a police officer OF.

Attribute selecting switch SW4 is a slide switch for inputting anoperational instruction to select an attribute to be assigned to videoimage data.

Communication mode switch SW5 is a slide switch for inputting anoperational instruction to set a communication mode between first camera10 and an external apparatus.

Indicator switch SW6 is a slide switch for inputting an operationalinstruction to set an operational state display mode by LEDs 26 a to 26c and vibrator 27. Video recording switch SW1, snapshot switch SW2,attribute information assigning switch SW3, and attribute selectingswitch SW4 are configured to be easily operable even in a case ofemergency dispatch of a police officer OF. Each of video recordingswitch SW1, snapshot switch SW2, attribute information assigning switchSW3, attribute selecting switch SW4, communication mode switch SW5, andindicator switch SW6 is not limited to the above-describedconfiguration. The switch may be an operational input device, having adifferent configuration, which allows a police officer OF to input anoperational instruction.

LED 26 a displays a power-supply state (ON-OFF state) of first camera 10and a state of battery 25.

LED 26 b displays a state of an image capturing operation (videorecording state) of first camera 10.

LED 26 c displays a state of a communication mode of first camera 10.

MCU 19 detects the pressing of each of video recording switch SW1,snapshot switch SW2, attribute information assigning switch SW3,attribute selecting switch SW4, communication mode switch SW5, andindicator switch SW6, and performs processing on the pressing of theoperated switch. For example, when a pressing operation of videorecording switch SW1 is detected, MCU 19 controls the start or stop ofan image capturing operation in capture 11, and stores the captured dataobtained by capture 11 in storage 15 as video image data of a movingimage. For example, when a pressing operation of snapshot switch SW2 isdetected, MCU 19 stores the captured data obtained by capture 11 whensnapshot switch SW2 is operated, in storage 15 as video image data of astill image.

For example, when an operational input of attribute informationassigning switch SW3 is detected, MCU 19 assigns preset attributeinformation to video image data, and stores the information in storage15 in association with the video image data. At this time, associationinformation indicating an associated relationship between the selectionstate of attribute selecting switch SW4 and any attribute information isheld in EEPROM 16, and MCU 19 detects the selection state of attributeselecting switch SW4, thereby assigning attribute informationcorresponding to the selection state of attribute selecting switch SW4.MCU 19 detects the state of communication mode switch SW5, and operatescommunicator 21 in accordance with a communication mode corresponding tothe setting of communication mode switch SW5. When a video recordingoperation starts, MCU 19 detects the state of indicator switch SW6 andnotifies the outside of the state of the video recording operationthrough the LED display and/or vibrations of the vibrator, in accordancewith the setting of indicator switch SW6.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internalconfiguration of second camera 10S according to the present exemplaryembodiment. Second camera 10S illustrated in FIG. 25 is configured toinclude imaging lens 11 s 1, image sensor 11 s 2, signal processor 11 s3, transmitter 11 s 4, communication I/F 11 s 5, microphone 11 s 6, andvideo recording switch SW1 s.

Lens 11 s 1 condenses ambient light incident from the outside of secondcamera 10S, thereby forming an image on an imaging surface of imagesensor 11 s 2.

Image sensor 11 s 2 is configured by a solid-state imaging device suchas, for example, a CCD or a CMOS, and converts an optical image formedon the optical image into an electrical signal. The output of imagesensor 11 s 2 is input to signal processor 11 s 3.

Signal processor 11 s 3 generates a frame of image data in an RGB (red,green, blue) format which is recognizable by a person or image dataspecified by YUV (luminance (Y) and color difference (U, V)) by usingthe output of image sensor 11 s 2, and outputs the generated frame totransmitter 11 s 4.

Transmitter 11 s 4 generates encoded data for conversion into a dataformat in which image data can be stored and transmitted, by suing theframe of image data which is generated by the signal processor 11 s 3,and outputs the generated data to communication I/F 11 s 5.

Communication I/F 11 s 5 outputs (transmits) the output from transmitter11 s 4 (that is, frame of image data), the output from microphone 11 s 6(that is, sound data), or the output from video recording switch SW1 s(that is, signal related to an operation for the start/stop of videorecording) to first camera 10 via cable CB.

Microphone 11 s 6 collects sounds around second camera 10S (for example,sounds in the scene to which a police officer OF is rushed), and outputsdata of the collected sounds to communication I/F 11 s 5.

Video recording switch SW1 s is a push button switch for inputting anoperational instruction to perform the start/stop of video recording(capturing of a moving image) through a pressing operation of a policeofficer OF. A signal related to an operation detected by video recordingswitch SW1 s is input to communication I/F 11 s 5. The operation for thestart/stop of video recording by video recording switch SW1 s is thesame as the operation for the start/stop of video recording by videorecording switch SW1 of first camera 10.

Subsequently, a description will be given regarding the assigning ofattribute information to video image data in first camera 10 accordingto the present exemplary embodiment. In wearable camera system 100, itis assumed that first camera 10 uses video image data obtained bytransmitting first video image data captured by first camera 10 switchedfrom second camera 10S, second video image data captured by secondcamera 10S switched from first camera 10, or the first video image dataand the second video image data which are captured by both first camera10 and second camera 10S to back-end servers SV1 to SV3 and accumulatingthe data.

In this case, target video image data is extracted from the accumulatedvideo image data on the basis of any attribute information, such as theclass of contents of the video image, a user of the imaging, the date,or the place, which is related to the video image data, and isreproduced. When the video image data has no attribute information, itis difficult to determine what the video image is obtained by capturing,and thus the target video image data cannot be extracted. Therefore, itis necessary to assign attribute information when many pieces of videoimage data are accumulated.

In the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to assignclassification information (Classify) indicating the class of contentsof video image as attribute information and to distribute video imagedata for each class. The attribute information is not limited toclassification information, and all pieces of information related to therecorded video image data are included. The classification informationas attribute information may be configured to have a hierarchicalstructure, or may be categorized according to a plurality of systemshaving different classes.

When a police officer OF leaves the scene captured by first camera 10,second camera 10S, or both first camera 10 and second camera 10S andassigns attribute information later by a PC or the like in a policeofficer, the police officer OF determines classes while reproducingvideo image data and assigns attribute information, which requires timeand labor. When pieces of video image data which are not assignedattribute information are accumulated, the confirmation of theindividual pieces of video image data requires labor, and thedetermination of a class and the assignment of attribute informationrequire much labor. Consequently, the present exemplary embodimentprovides a configuration example of first camera 10 in which attributeinformation can be easily assigned immediately after or during videorecording.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship betweenattribute selecting switch SW4 and the attribute information. When firstcamera 10 is used, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the attribute informationis set and allocated in association with each of states (contact pointpositions) C1 to C3 of attribute selecting switch SW4. The illustratedexample is given on an assumption of a case where police officer OFcaptures circumstantial images of the scene of an incident, C1 isallocated to traffic accident, C2 is allocated to drunken driving, andC3 is allocated to speeding respectively. The allocation of theattribute information is set by selecting the attribute informationwhich is most frequently used by police officer OF, among the pieces ofthe attribute information in multiple definitions. The contents of thetable illustrated in FIG. 26 (in other words, information defining therelationship between attribute selecting switch SW4 and the attributeinformation) are stored in EEPROM 16 of first camera 10 as one piece ofthe setting information.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of data structure of thevideo recording data. FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a first exampleof the video-recorded image list. In first camera 10 according to thepresent exemplary embodiment, when storing a recorded video image datain storage 15, as illustrated in FIG. 27, together with a captured videoimage data, meta-information including the attribute information whichis associated with the video image data is generated, and both thepieces of data are stored in storage 15 as video recording data in whichboth the pieces of data are associated with each other. In other words,the video recording data stored in storage 15 includes the video imagedata and the meta-information.

When transmitting the video image data to back-end servers SV1 to SV3,first camera 10 transmits and accumulates the video recording dataincluding the video image data and the meta-information. The videorecording data illustrated in FIG. 27 is a second video image datacaptured by second camera 10S, when a camera is switched from firstcamera 10 to second camera 10S. The video recording data is a firstvideo image data captured by first camera 10, when a camera is switchedfrom second camera 10S to first camera 10. The video recording dataincludes both a first video image data and a second video image datawhich are respectively captured by first camera 10 and second camera10S, when either first camera 10 or second camera 10S captures an imagefirst and then the other camera is added later and used for capturing.

The meta-information in association with the video image data is stored,for example, as the video-recorded image list illustrated in FIG. 28.The meta-information of the video-recorded image list includes an eventID, time information, a camera ID, a user ID, recording camerainformation, attribute information, and GPS information. The event ID isidentification information for identifying the event of video recording.

In the present exemplary embodiment, first camera 10 defines one sessionof a video recording operation from the start of video recording untilthe end of video recording as one event, and assigns an event ID to eachevent (hereinafter, also referred to as the video recording event) ofvideo recording operation. As the event ID, the file name or the like ofthe video image data may be applied. The time information is timeinformation of each video recording event, and the start time of videorecording is assigned, for example. As the time information, in additionto the assignment of the start time of video recording, the start timeof video recording and the end time of video recording, the start timeof video recording and the duration time of video recording, the timewhen the attribute information is assigned during recording, the timewhen the wearable camera to be used for capturing is switched, the timewhen the wearable camera to be used for capturing is added, and the likemay be used.

The camera ID is identification information for identifying each offirst camera 10 and second camera 10S. The user ID is identificationinformation of police officers OF who uses first camera 10, secondcamera 10S, or both of them. When first camera 10, second camera 10S, orboth of them is used, the camera ID and the user ID are set so as toidentify who performs video recording by using which camera.

The recording camera information is information indicating how firstcamera 10 and second camera 10S are used and video recording isperformed by a police officer indicated by the user ID, for each event.

Specifically, in the event ID “Event001”, the recording camerainformation is information indicating that second camera 10S is firstused for capturing, but first camera 10 is used by being switched in themiddle of the same video recording event (see second camera→firstcamera). Therefore, in the event ID “Event001”, the camera ID is“BWC0001” indicating first camera 10.

In the event ID of “Event002”, the recording camera information isinformation indicating that first camera 10 is first used for capturing,but second camera 10S is used by being switched in the middle of thesame video recording event (see first camera→second camera). In thiscase, in the event ID “Event002”, the camera ID is “BWC0002” indicatingsecond camera 10S.

In the event ID of “Event003”, the recording camera information isinformation indicating that first camera 10 is used for capturing fromthe start to the end of video recording (see only first camera). In thiscase, the camera ID is “BWC0001” indicating first camera 10.

In the event ID “Event004”, the recording camera information isinformation indicating that first camera 10 is first used for capturing,and second camera 10S is also used by being switched from first camera10 in the middle of the same video recording event (see firstcamera/second camera). In addition, in the event ID “Event004”,attribute information “speeding” is assigned to the first video imagedata captured by first camera 10, at “22:00:10 on Dec. 2, 2014”, andattribute information “drunken driving” is assigned to the second videoimage data captured by second camera 10S, at “22:10:50 on Dec. 2, 2014”.Therefore, in the event ID “Event004”, the camera ID is defined as both“BWC0001” indicating first camera 10 used before being switched and“BWC0002” indicating second camera 10S used after being switched.

In addition, even in the case where a camera is switched from firstcamera 10 to second camera 10S, or vice versa, first camera 10 canallocate different piece of attribute information to the first videoimage data captured by first camera 10 or the second video image datacaptured by second camera 10S.

The attribute information is classification information for identifyingthe type of a video image data, and is allocated based on theinformation indicating the relationship between the selected state ofattribute selecting switch SW4 and the attribute information illustratedin FIG. 8, in accordance with the operation of attribute informationassigning switch SW3 and attribute selecting switch SW4 by policeofficer OF. The GPS information is position information indicating wherethe recording of the video image data is made, for example, the currentposition information at the start time of video recording is acquiredfrom GPS 18 and GPS information is allocated by MCU 19. Each piece ofmeta-information described above is allocated, for example, at the starttime of video recording, during video recording, or immediately afterthe end of video recording by the process of MCU 19, and is stored instorage 15 in association with the video image data.

Next, in wearable camera system 100 of the embodiment, a switchingoperation of a wearable camera applied for one-channel video recording(in other words, video recording using first camera 10 or second camera10S), and an operation of assigning one piece of attribute informationto one piece of video recording data that is recorded by a wearablecamera applied after being switched will be described with reference toFIG. 29. FIG. 29 is a flow chart illustrating an example of anoperational procedure of the wearable camera system in which thewearable camera applied to one-channel video recording is switched andone piece of the attribute information is assigned to one piece of thevideo recording data that is recorded by the wearable camera appliedafter being switched, according to the present exemplary embodiment.

In FIG. 29, MCU 19 of first camera 10 performs the initial setting offirst camera 10 prior to the video recording operation illustrated instep S12 (S11). The initial setting of first camera 10 is performed, forexample, by police officer OF assessing the PC in the police station,operating the PC and transmitting the various types of settinginformation (for example, a camera ID and a user ID), when policeofficer OF is dispatched. As the initial setting, MCU 19 performs theassigning of the camera ID and the user ID (see FIG. 28), the activationof attribute information assigning switch SW3 and attribute selectingswitch SW4, the allocation of a plurality of pieces of attributeinformation corresponding to the selected state of attribute selectingswitch SW4 (see FIG. 26).

If detecting the press operation of video recording switch SW1 by policeofficer OF for a constant time (for example, about 1 second), MCU 19starts the recording operation of the image (video) captured by capture11, and stores the video image data of a moving image captured bycapture 11 in the storage 15 (S12).

Here, when the recording of first camera 10 is not continued (NO inS13), the process of first camera 10 is ended.

On the other hand, when first camera 10 continuously performs videorecording (S13, YES), and when the police officer OF switches thewearable camera for imaging a state of an imaging area (for example,scene of accident) from first camera 10 to second camera 10S (S14, YES),second camera 10S starts imaging. Image data of the moving imagecaptured by second camera 10S is transmitted to first camera 10 everytime via cable CB while second camera 10S continuously performs imaging.

In order to switch the wearable camera for imaging the state of theimaging area (for example, scene of accident) from first camera 10 tosecond camera 10S, for example, the police officer OF may connect firstcamera 10 on video recording to second camera 10S via cable CB.Alternatively, when first camera 10 and second camera 10S are previouslyconnected to each other via cable CB, no operation may be performed onfirst camera 10, and video recording switch SW1 s of second camera 10Smay be continuously pressed down for a certain period of time (forexample, approximately one second). In any case, according to thepresent embodiment, the above-described simple operation enables thepolice officer OF to switch the wearable camera for imaging the state ofthe imaging area (for example, scene of accident) from first camera 10to second camera 10S.

On the other hand, when the police officer OF does not switch thewearable camera for imaging a state of an imaging area (for example,scene of accident) from first camera 10 to second camera 10S (S14, NO),first camera 10 continuously performs video recording, and the processof first camera 10 returns to Step S13. An example has been described inwhich first camera 10 is previously used for the video recording in StepS12 and the wearable camera used in the video recording after switchingin Step S14 is second camera 10S. However, the procedure may bereversed, and the same is applied hereafter. That is, second camera 10Smay be previously used for the video recording in Step S12, and thewearable camera used in the video recording after switching in Step S14may be first camera 10.

After second camera 10S starts the video recording, MCU 19 detects aselection state of attribute selection switch SW4 of first camera 10(S15), and determines the presence or absence of an input from attributeinformation assigning switch SW3 (S15).

If the input from attribute information assigning switch SW3 is present(S16, YES), MCU 19 reads attribute information corresponding to theselection state of attribute selection switch SW4 from EEPROM 16, andassigns the attribute information to the second video image datacaptured by second camera 10S (S17). MCU 19 outputs meta-informationincluding the assigned attribute information to storage unit 15, andstores data by associating the meta-information with the video imagedata stored by completing the video recording operation immediatelybefore (S18). According to the present embodiment, while second camera10S performs imaging, the police officer OF may operate first camera 10so as to assign the attribute information to the second video image datacaptured by second camera 10S. Alternatively, after second camera 10Scompletes the imaging, the attribute information may be assigned to thesecond video image data. The same is applied hereafter.

The meta-information includes event ID, time information (for example,imaging-start time of second camera 10S which is the wearablecamera-switched time), camera ID, user ID, video recording camerainformation (for example, information on the wearable camera used forone-channel video recording), attribute information, and GPS information(refer to FIG. 28). In this manner, the operation of wearable camerasystem 100 according to the present embodiment is completed.

In addition, in the above-described example, the attribute informationcorresponding to the state of attribute selection switch SW4 is assignedfrom the attribute information which is previously allocated toattribute selection switch SW4. However, for example, a voicerecognition function can also be used so as to assign the attributeinformation corresponding to a voice generated by a user.

As described above, according to wearable camera system 100, firstcamera 10 and second camera 10S which a user (for example, the policeofficer OF) can wear are used, and first camera 10 causes storage unit15 to store the first video image data captured by first camera 10. Whenimaging of first camera 10 is switched to second camera 10S, secondcamera 10S transmits the second video image data captured by secondcamera 10S to first camera 10. When the imaging of first camera 10 isswitched to second camera 10S, first camera 10 receives the second videoimage data transmitted from second camera 10S. If an operation forassigning the attribute information relating to the second video imagedata is received, first camera 10 assigns the attribute information tothe second video image data in accordance with the assigning operation,and causes storage unit 15 to store the attribute information. Firstcamera 10 deletes the first video image data captured by first camera 10from storage unit 15.

In this manner, in order for a user (for example, the police officer OF)to accurately and broadly image a scene of accident where the user isdispatched for emergency, wearable camera system 100 deletes the firstvideo image data which becomes unnecessary due to the switching when theimaging of first camera 10 is switched to second camera 10S. Through asimple operation on a single body of first camera 10, wearable camerasystem 100 can assign the attribute information indicating which type ofvideo image is the second video image data to the second video imagedata which is captured by second camera 10S used after the switching.Therefore, wearable camera system 100 can assist the user (for example,the police officer OF) so as to accurately and broadly image a state ofthe scene of accident. Furthermore, wearable camera system 100 canimprove handling convenience of the captured video image data (secondvideo image data).

In addition, according to wearable camera system 100 of the presentembodiment, when the imaging of second camera 10S is switched to firstcamera 10, second camera 10S transmits the second video image datacaptured until the imaging is switched to first camera 10 to firstcamera 10. When the imaging of second camera 10S is switched to firstcamera 10, first camera 10 receives the second video image data fromsecond camera 10S, and discards the second video image data transmittedfrom second camera 10S. If an operation for assigning the attributeinformation relating to the first video image data is received, firstcamera 10 assigns the attribute information to the first video imagedata in accordance with the assigning operation, and causes storage unit15 to store the attribute information.

In this manner, in order for the user (for example, the police officerOF) to accurately and broadly image the scene of accident where the useris dispatched for emergency, wearable camera system 100 discards thesecond video image data which becomes unnecessary due to the switchingwhen the imaging of second camera 10S is switched to first camera 10.Through a simple operation on a single body of first camera 10, wearablecamera system 100 can assign the attribute information indicating whichtype of video image is the first video image data to the first videoimage data which is captured by first camera 10 used after theswitching. Therefore, wearable camera system 100 can assist the user(for example, the police officer OF) so as to accurately and broadlyimage a state of the scene of accident. Furthermore, wearable camerasystem 100 can improve handling convenience of the captured video imagedata (first video image data).

For this reason, the user (for example, police officer OF) can reliablyassign attitude information to first video image data captured by firstcamera 10 or second video image data captured by second camera 10S byappropriately switching first camera 10 which is used for imaging afterswitching and second camera 10S even at an imaging field in an emergencysituation. The first video image data or the second video image datawhich is captured before switching is deleted or discarded in firstcamera 10, and thus it is possible to prevent a storage capacity offirst camera 10 from increasing. In a case of using video dataaccumulated in the server disposed in the back end system of the policestation, a user (for example, a user of the back end system) can easilydetermine what kind of video data and extract the video data byreferring to the attitude information assigned to the video data, andcan easily identify when, where, with which camera, and by whom a videoimage was captured with which camera, and the content thereof, on thebasis of meta information including the attitude information.

In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, a wearable camera usedto capture an imaging region (for example, a field) may be switched oneof first camera 10 and second camera 10S to the other, and, in a statein which imaging is performed by one wearable camera (for example, firstcamera 10) in advance, imaging may be performed by the other wearablecamera (for example, second camera 10S) which is added later (refer toFIGS. 30 and 31). FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a second example ofthe video-recorded image list. In description of FIG. 30, description ofcontent overlapping the description of FIG. 28 will be omitted, anddifferent content will be described. The video-recorded image listillustrated in FIG. 30 is different from the video-recorded image listillustrated in FIG. 28 in terms of video recording camera information.

Specifically, in a case of event IDs of “Event001” and “Event003”, thevideo recording camera information is information indicating thatimaging is performed by first camera 10 from beginning to end (refer toonly the first camera). In this case, a camera ID is “BWC0001”indicating first camera 10.

In addition, in a case of an event ID of “Event002”, the video recordingcamera information is information indicating that imaging is firstperformed by first camera 10, and second camera 10S is added on the wayand is used for imaging (refer to the first camera+the second camera).In this case, in the event ID of “Event002”, a camera ID is“BWC0001+BWC0002” indicating first camera 10 and second camera 10S.

Further, in a case of an event ID of “Event004”, the video recordingcamera information is information indicating that imaging is firstperformed by first camera 10, and second camera 10S is added in themiddle of the same video recording event and is used for imaging (referto the first camera/the first camera+the second camera). In this case,in the event ID of “Event004”, attitude information “overspeed” isassigned to first video image data which was captured by first camera 10at “22:00:10, Dec. 2, 2014”, and attitude information “drunken driving”is assigned to first video image data captured by first camera 10 andsecond video image data captured by second camera 10S at “22:10:50, Dec.2, 2014”. Therefore, in the event ID of “Event004”, a camera ID definesboth “BWC0001” indicating first camera 10 used before being added, and“BWC0001+BWC0002” indicating a combination of “BWC0001” indicating firstcamera 10 used after being added and “BWC0002” indicating second camera10S.

Also in a case where first camera 10 first performs imaging and secondcamera 10S is added later, or in an opposite case, first camera 10 mayassign different pieces of attitude information to first video imagedata captured by first camera 10 and second video image data captured bysecond camera 10S.

Next, with reference to FIG. 31, a description will be made of switchingbetween wearable cameras used for simultaneous two-channel videorecording (that is, video recording using first camera 10 and secondcamera 10S) and an operation of assigning common attitude information totwo video recording data items obtained through the simultaneoustwo-channel video recording in the wearable camera system 100. FIG. 31is a flow chart illustrating an example of an operational procedure ofwearable camera system 100 in which video recording is switched over tosimultaneous two-channel video recording and common attributeinformation is assigned to each piece of the video recording datavideo-recorded by each of the wearable cameras applied to thesimultaneous two-channel video recording. In description of FIG. 31,description of content overlapping the description of FIG. 29 will bemade briefly or will be omitted, and different content will bedescribed.

In FIG. 31, after step S12 (that is, in a state in which video recordingis performed by first camera 10), in a case where police officer OFconnects second camera 10S to first camera 10 via cable CB in order toadd a wearable camera for imaging a situation of an imaging region (forexample, a field) (S21, YES), second camera 10S starts imaging. At thistime, first camera 10 which is first used for imaging may stop theimaging according to the addition of second camera 10S, and maycontinuous to perform the imaging. Video data of moving images capturedby second camera 10S is transmitted to first camera 10 via cable CB.

In a case where there is an input signal from attribute informationassigning switch SW3 (S16, YES), MCU 19 reads attitude informationcorresponding to a selection state of attribute selecting switch SW4from EEPROM 16, and assigns common attitude information (the attitudeinformation corresponding to the selection state of attribute selectingswitch SW4) to first video image data of moving images captured by firstcamera 10 until second camera 10S is connected to first camera 10, andsecond video image data of moving images captured by second camera 10S(S22).

After step S22, MCU 19 outputs meta information including the commonattitude information to storage 15 so as to store the meta informationin correlation with video data which is stored by finishing the videorecording operation right before (S23). The meta information includes anevent ID, timing information (for example, time when the wearable camerais added and time when imaging is started by second camera 10S), acamera ID, a user ID, video recording camera information (for example,information regarding the wearable cameras used for the simultaneoustwo-channel video recording), attitude information, and GPS information(refer to FIG. 31). Consequently, the operation of wearable camerasystem 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment is finished.

As mentioned above, in wearable camera system 100 of the presentexemplary embodiment, first camera 10 stores the first video image datacaptured by first camera 10 in storage 15. In a case where first camera10 first performs imaging, and then second camera 10S starts imaging,second camera 10S transmits the second video image data captured bysecond camera 10S to first camera 10. In a case where first camera 10first performs imaging, and then second camera 10S starts imaging, firstcamera 10 receives the second video image data transmitted from secondcamera 10S. If an operation of assigning attitude information regardingthe first video image data and the second video image data is received,first camera 10 assigns the common attitude information to the firstvideo image data and the second video image data in response to theassigning operation, and stores a result thereof in storage 15.

Accordingly, in order to accurately and broadly capture an image of asituation at the scene where the user (for example, police officer OF)hurries in an emergency, when wearable camera system 100 starts tocapture an image by using not only first camera 10 but also secondcamera 10S, wearable camera system 100 assigns the common attributeinformation indicating the types of the video images of the first videoimage data and the second video image data, to both of the first videoimage data obtained by original capturing, and the second video imagedata captured by second camera 10S used for capturing thereafter, bysimple operation with respect to first camera 10. Accordingly, wearablecamera system 100 can support the user (for example, police officer OF)to accurately and broadly capture an image of a situation at the scene,and further, can improve the convenience at the time of handling thecaptured video image data (the first video image data and the secondvideo image data).

In addition, in wearable camera system 100 of the embodiment, when thecapturing by second camera 10S is performed ahead, and the capturing byfirst camera 10 starts, second camera 10S transmits the second videoimage data captured by second camera 10S to first camera 10 before thecapturing by first camera 10 starts. When the capturing by second camera10S is performed ahead, and the capturing by first camera 10 starts,first camera 10 receives the second video image data transmitted fromsecond camera 10S, and if the assigning operation of the attributeinformation relating to the first video image data captured by firstcamera 10 and the second video image data is received, first camera 10assigns, according to the assigning operation, the common attributeinformation to the first video image data and the second video imagedata and stores the information in storage 15.

Accordingly, in order to accurately and broadly capture an image of asituation at the scene where a user (for example, police officer OF)hurries in an emergency, when wearable camera system 100 starts tocapture an image by using not only second camera 10S but also firstcamera 10, wearable camera system 100 assigns the common attributeinformation indicating the types of the video images of the first videoimage data and the second image data, to both of the second video imagedata obtained by original capturing, and the first video image datacaptured by first camera 10 used for capturing thereafter, by simpleoperation with respect to first camera 10. Accordingly, wearable camerasystem 100 can support the user (for example, police officer OF) toaccurately and broadly capture an image of a situation at the scene, andfurther, can improve the convenience at the time of handling thecaptured video image data (the first video image data and the secondvideo image data).

Therefore, even in a case of a capturing scene in an emergency, the user(for example, police officer OF) can reliably assign the commonattribute information to both of the video image data (for example,first video image data) captured by one camera (for example, firstcamera 10) used for capturing originally, and the video image data (forexample, second video image data) captured by the other camera (forexample, second camera 10S) used for capturing thereafter, by capturingan image by using both cameras from a state where capturing is performedby only using any one of first camera 10 and second camera 10S. Inaddition, when the video image data stored in the back-end system of thepolice station is used, by referring to the common attribute informationassigned to the first video image data and the second video image data,the user (for example, a user of the back-end system) can easilydistinguish the types of each piece of the video image data and extractthe data. Further, the user can easily identify the video image (when,where, by which camera, and by whom the video image is captured and whatkind of contents is contained).

In addition, since the attributes of the video image data can be easilyassigned by first camera 10 with a simple operation by the user (forexample, police officer OF), wearable camera system 100 can reduce timeand labor when assigning the attribute information and also can easilyidentify the video image data immediately after the video recording.

In addition, first camera 10 receives the assigning operation of theattribute information relating to the first video image data or thesecond video image data through attribute information assigning switchSW3; receives the designating operation for the selection state of theattribute information through attribute selecting switch SW4; andassigns the attribute information corresponding to the selection stateof attribute selecting switch SW4 to the first video image data, thesecond video image data, or both thereof. In this manner, first camera10 assigns the attribute information selected by attribute selectingswitch SW4 to the first video image data, the second video image data,or both thereof by the operation input of attribute informationassigning switch SW3, so that it is possible to simplify the assigningoperation of the attribute information by the simple operation of theuser (for example, police officer OF) with respect to first camera 10.Accordingly, first camera 10 can reduce time and labor of the user (forexample, police officer OF) when assigning the attribute information andalso can easily identify the video image data immediately after thevideo recording.

In addition, in first camera 10, different pieces of attributeinformation are allocated to a plurality selection states in attributeselecting switch SW4. With this, first camera 10 can selectivelydetermines attribute information that a user (for example, policeofficer OF) desires from a plurality of pieces of attribute informationdue to an operation of attribute selecting switch SW4, and can assignappropriate attributes to first video image data, second video imagedata, or both of the first video image data and the second video imagedata.

In addition, in wearable camera system 100 of the present exemplaryembodiment, when first camera 10 and second camera 10S are connected viacable CB, imaging is performed by switching from one among first camera10 and second camera 10S (for example, first camera 10) to the other(for example, second camera 10S), and when the connection of firstcamera 10 and second camera 10S via cable CB is cut off, imaging isperformed by switching from the other among first camera 10 and secondcamera 10S (for example, second camera 10S) to the one (for example,first camera 10). With this, wearable camera system 100 can easilyperform switching between first camera 10 and second camera 10S througha connection via cable CB or a cut-off of the connection.

In addition, in wearable camera system 100 of the present exemplaryembodiment, when first camera 10 and second camera 10S are connected viacable CB, imaging is performed by both of first camera 10 and secondcamera 10S, and when the connection of first camera 10 and second camera10S via cable CB is cut off, imaging is performed by any one (firstcamera 10 or second camera 10S) among first camera 10 and second camera10S. With this, wearable camera system 100 can easily switch betweencombined use of imaging of first camera 10 and second camera 10S andcancellation thereof through a connection via cable CB or a cut-off ofthe connection.

Hereinabove, various exemplary embodiments are described with referenceto drawings, but it is needless to say that the present invention is notlimited to the examples. It is obvious for those skilled in the art toconceive various modification examples or revised examples within thescope of claims, and it is understood that those examples areaccordingly within the technical scope of the present invention.Moreover, each of components in the exemplary embodiments may bearbitrarily combined without departing from the gist of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wearable camera which is equipped by a policeofficer or the like, the camera comprising: a capture that captures avideo image of a scene; a storage that stores data of a video imagecaptured by the capture; and an operation input section that inputs anoperation performed by a user, wherein the operation input sectionincludes an attribute selecting switch that selects any one among aplurality of pieces of attribute information which is classificationinformation indicating contents of the data of a video image and causesthe selected attribute information to be a setting state, and anattribute information assigning switch that assigns the attributeinformation caused to be the setting state, and wherein in response toan operation of the attribute information assigning switch performedduring a session from a start of video image data recording till a startof next video image data recording, the storage stores data of a videoimage which is currently video-recorded or data of a video image whichis video-recorded immediately before, by associating the attributeinformation caused to be the setting state by the attribute selectingswitch therewith.
 2. The camera of claim 1, further comprising: astorage that stores second data of a video image which is captured byanother camera, wherein the operation input section assigns attributeinformation to the second data of a video image.
 3. The camera of claim1, wherein the attribute information indicates a traffic accident,drunken driving, or speeding.
 4. The camera of claim 1, wherein theattribute selecting switch is a slide-type switch.
 5. The camera ofclaim 1, wherein the attribute information assigning switch is a pushbutton-type switch.
 6. The camera of claim 1, wherein the attributeselecting switch and the attribute information assigning switch aredisposed on a side face of the wearable camera.
 7. The camera of claim6, wherein the attribute selecting switch and the attribute informationassigning switch are disposed on the same side face.
 8. A wearablecamera which is equipped by a police officer or the like, the cameracomprising: a capture that captures a video image of a scene; a storagethat stores data of a video image captured by the capture; and anoperation input section that inputs an operation performed by a user,wherein the operation input section includes an attribute selectingswitch that selects any one among a plurality of pieces of attributeinformation which is classification information indicating contents ofthe data of a video image and causes the selected attribute informationto be a setting state, and an attribute information assigning switchthat assigns the attribute information caused to be the setting state,and wherein when there are multiple times of operations of the attributeinformation assigning switch performed during a session from a start ofvideo image data recording till a start of next video image datarecording, the storage stores data of a video image which is currentlyvideo-recorded or data of a video image which is video-recordedimmediately before, by associating the plurality of pieces of attributeinformation caused to be different setting states by the attributeselecting switch while the attribute information assigning switch is inoperation.
 9. The camera of claim 8, wherein when an input from theattribute information assigning switch is detected during an operationof video image data recording performed by the capture, the storagestores the attribute information together with time information of atime the input is detected, by associating data of a video image beingvideo-recorded, and when an input from the attribute informationassigning switch is detected during a session from an end of anoperation of video image data recording performed by the capture till astart of an operation of next video recording, the storage stores dataof a video image of which video recording ends immediately before, byassociating the attribute information together with time information ofa time of the start of video recording.